Kano rerun: Police bar Hisbah, others as INEC receives logistics

Kano State Police command has said security deployment for rerun election in the state will be restricted to Federal Government agencies alone.

It, therefore, barred Kano State Hisbah Board, Kano State Road and Traffic Agency, Vigilante groups and other state-controlled apparatus from participating in the exercise.

Addressing journalists shortly after an emergency meeting of Kano State Election Security Committee, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mohammed Gumel, restricted security deployment for the election to federal agencies alone.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 3, 2024, for rerun for three House of Assembly seats that the Court of Appeal invalidated the election.

The affected constituencies are Kunchi/Tsanyawa, Rimin-Gado/Tofa and Kura/Garun-Mallam.

Although, the CP, who co-chairs the committee, was silent on the reason for the restriction of the security outfits, there are alleged moves by some elements to sabotage the poll.

Gumel told journalists that the police, the military and other paramilitary agencies of the Federal Government were prepared to ensure hitch-free election across the six local councils under the three constituencies, where the election will be conducted.

On whether there would be movement restrictions, the CP stressed that movement of vehicles and residents would not be hindered during the balloting. He, however, noted that security operatives would not tolerate any attempt to foment unrest in the city during or after the elections.

He stated: “We have kick-started deployment of personnel across the six local councils of Kunchi, Tsanyawa, Kura, Garun-Mallam, Tofa and Rimin-Gado. These six local councils are under the three constituencies where the 66 polling units are domiciled.

“Let me reaffirm that the police and other agencies have the capacity and resources to provide security to life and property in those areas. We urge people to go about their daily lawful business without fear of molestation.”

Earlier, Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Abdul Zango, had said preparation for the rerun had been concluded, as all sensitive and non-sensitive materials had been delivered.