Kano Elections: Vigilante Groups and Transport Agency Provide Security with Traditional Weapons Amid Police Absence

As police withdraw from their duties during the elections, vigilante groups and the transport agency in Kano are using sticks and local swords to ensure security. Discover how this situation is impacting the electoral process.

Electoral officials have begun arriving at polling stations for today’s local government elections scheduled to take place throughout Kano State.

This occurred after the Kano State High Court authorized the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) to move forward with local government elections, overturning all efforts by political parties to halt the process.

Justice Sanusi Ma’aji, who oversaw the case, determined that KANSIEC is constitutionally authorized to conduct, supervise, and oversee local government elections throughout the 44 local government areas in Kano State. The case had been filed by KANSIEC against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other political parties.

Our correspondents overseeing the elections have reported that voting materials are already beginning to arrive at various polling stations.

It is reported that local vigilante groups and officials from the Kano Road Transport Agency (Karota) are also offering security at the polling units.

This followed the announcement by the Kano State Police Command that it would adhere to a court order preventing its involvement in the election.

Superintendent of Police Abdullahi Haruna, the command’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed this on Friday through a video message released to Channels Television.

We will adhere to the court order preventing us from participating in the upcoming Kano State Local Government Election. Nonetheless, we are committed to upholding our constitutional duty of safeguarding lives and property.

In response to the court order limiting their involvement, both the police and the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission have committed to complying with it. Consequently, the police will not participate in the upcoming local government elections.

You are fully aware of the court order received by the Police Command in Kano. According to item nine of this order, the Police is instructed not to take part in the upcoming local government election in the state.

Haruna stated, “The police in Kano are not taking part in the election. Nevertheless, it is our duty to maintain law and order in the state, and we consistently fulfill this responsibility.”

At the time this report was filed, police officers were not present at the polling units.

Some of the local security officials were observed holding sticks and handmade swords as they stood behind residents preparing to cast their votes.