The Police Command in Kano State has banned police escorts for VIPs and political office holders to all locations where the state re-run elections will hold on Saturday, Feb. 3.
The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel, gave the order in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kano.
Gumel warned that all forms of thuggery and importation of thugs by any political interest group would not be tolerated.
“Policemen are banned from escorting VIPs/political office holders to all locations where elections are taking place.
“Troublemakers are warned to steer clear of the re-run election venues. Carrying all sorts of weapons during the re-run election will not be tolerated.
“All forms of thuggery and importation of thugs by any political interest groups will not be tolerated.
“Adequate security personnel have been deployed to arrest anyone who attempts to override the security provision, cause breach of the peace or breakdown of the law.
“In line with the provisions of the electoral guidelines, all quasi security outfits like Hisbah, KAROTA, vigilante, hunters, Man O War, Boys Scouts etc will not participate in the re-run election.”
The CP pledged the command’s determination to provide the needed security machinery in conjunction with other relevant security agencies who are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security in the State.
He said there would be restrictions of movement in the six local government areas where the re-run elections will be held, except essential services such as ambulances, medical emergencies, fire services and similar emergencies.
The CP stressed that only those accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections in those locations including the media would be allowed access.
“Only eligible voters screened by INEC will be allowed to vote. Only people with voter cards indicating the said particular polling unit where the re-run election is scheduled to be held will be allowed to vote.
“Nobody will be allowed within the voting premises, except those accredited by INEC including party agents.
“There will be rigorous stop and search and patrols in all the LGAs where the re-run elections will be held,” Gumel said.
NAN reports that INEC will be conducting re-run election in 66 polling units in three constituencies of the State.
The three constituencies have six Local Government Councils with 12 polling units in Tsanyawa/Kunchi, 21 in Kura/Garun Malam and 33 in Tofa/Rimin Gado.
The command also listed its emergency numbers as: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926 or the “NPF Rescue” available on Play Store.
Members of the public are urged to follow activities for the re-run on the social media platforms of the Command via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok, using the handle: Kano State Police Command.