Kano Police Deploy Massive Security, Restrict Movement For Bye-Election
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Kano State Police Command has announced a comprehensive security plan, including movement restrictions and the deployment of personnel across strategic locations, ahead of the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency bye-election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The state police command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed in a statement on Friday that the security measures were unveiled following resolutions reached at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held on June 17.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies under the ICCES framework, has activated a robust security architecture to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible electoral process.
As part of the measures, there will be a total restriction of vehicular and pedestrian movement within Dawakin Kudu and Warawa Local Government Areas from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. on election day. The restriction will not apply to security personnel, INEC officials, accredited election observers and duly identified media practitioners on official duty.
The Command disclosed that adequate security personnel have been deployed to all polling units, collation centres, INEC offices and other critical infrastructure within the two local government areas to safeguard voters, electoral officials and election materials.
Voters have been advised to conduct themselves peacefully and maintain order at polling units. The police also reminded political parties and supporters that campaigning, canvassing and the display of party insignia within 300 metres of polling units remain prohibited under electoral regulations.
The Command warned that it would not tolerate electoral offences, including violence, vote-buying, vote-selling, ballot box snatching, voter intimidation and the spread of misinformation. It stressed that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 and other relevant laws.
To further secure the process, security agencies will provide round-the-clock protection for electoral personnel, election materials and collation centres before, during and after the poll.
The police also urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities, threats or breaches of peace through designated emergency lines, adding that intelligence-sharing mechanisms among ICCES member agencies have been activated to facilitate rapid response to incidents.
Reassuring residents of adequate protection, the Command stated that the security situation across the state remains calm and stable, encouraging eligible voters to come out and exercise their civic rights without fear.
The police further appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to comply with electoral guidelines and maintain peace throughout the exercise to ensure a successful and credible bye-election.
