Writing By Abdullahi Jalaludeen; Editing By Godwin Duru
Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of no fewer than 333 suspects in connection with electoral violence during the re-run and by-elections conducted on Saturday, 16th August, in Ghari/Tsanyawa and Bagwai/Shanono State Constituencies.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Kano.
He said the suspects were apprehended for allegedly disrupting the electoral process through violence, intimidation, and other unlawful activities.
According to him, the police in collaboration with sister security agencies under the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), foiled attempts by political thugs imported from within and outside the state to destabilize the election.
“In the course of the election in Ghari, Bagwai and Shanono local government areas, our operatives arrested a total of 333 suspects and recovered dangerous weapons and incriminating items”.
Items recovered from the suspects included one pump action rifle, five locally made guns, 94 sticks, 16 swords, 18 cutlasses, 32 locally made ‘barandami’ weapons, 18 knives, a bow, 23 arrows, seven catapults, 45 stones, and 14 motor vehicles.
Also recovered were two ballot boxes, 163 thumb-printed ballot papers, and cash amounting to N4,048,000.
CP Bakori further revealed that all the suspects have already been arraigned before Magistrate Courts in Kano .
They are facing charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct, possession of offensive weapons, intimidation, loitering after voting, destruction of election materials, and other electoral offences.
He lauded the security agencies for their professionalism and resilience in containing the violence and ensuring that the elections were not completely derailed by hoodlums.
“Their coordinated efforts safeguarded voters, election officials, and the general public from further harm,” he added.
The CP urged residents of Kano State to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and supportive of security agencies in the protection of democratic values.
He emphasized that security is a collective responsibility, calling on citizens to see the safeguarding of democracy as a patriotic duty.
The Commissioner assured that the Command will continue to uphold law and order while protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
ABDULLAHI JALALUDDEEN
