Kano Police: Dawakin Kudu Movement Restriction for By-Election

• The Kano State Police Command has imposed a movement restriction in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area for the by-election on September 19, 2026.
• The restriction will be active from 12:00 am to 5:00 pm, with exemptions only for essential service personnel possessing valid identification.
• All security aides and escorts for VIPs, political office holders, and government functionaries are banned from accompanying their principals to polling or collation centres.
• Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori warned that violators of the restrictions or electoral guidelines will face immediate arrest and prosecution under the law.
• The police, in collaboration with other agencies, have deployed personnel and assets to ensure security and compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, issued a stern warning, emphasizing that any individual found in violation of the established movement restriction or any other electoral guidelines will face immediate arrest and subsequent prosecution in accordance with the law.

The Kano State Police Command has declared a comprehensive restriction on public movement within the Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, effective for a specific period on Saturday, September 19, 2026. This measure is being implemented in anticipation of a by-election for the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency. The directive, communicated through a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, and released to the press on Friday, outlines strict protocols designed to safeguard the electoral process.

The Kano police Dawakin Kudu movement restriction will be enforced from midnight (12:00 am) until 5:00 pm on the election day. During this timeframe, only individuals performing essential duties will be permitted to move freely, provided they possess valid identification. This includes accredited officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), recognized election observers, medical personnel, firefighters, and accredited journalists. The overarching goal of this Kano by-election movement ban is to ensure the by-election proceeds peacefully, credibly, and without any disruptions.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, issued a stern warning, emphasizing that any individual found in violation of the established movement restriction or any other electoral guidelines will face immediate arrest and subsequent prosecution in accordance with the law. This highlights the serious commitment to upholding the integrity of the election. Furthermore, a significant directive includes a nationwide VIP escorts election ban Nigeria, specifically prohibiting all security aides and escorts assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs), political office holders, and government functionaries from accompanying their principals to polling units or collation centres.

Beyond the movement and escort restrictions, the police command has also outlawed the involvement of any quasi-security outfits, vigilante groups, or voluntary organizations in the election security arrangements, or their presence near polling units. Carrying arms or any dangerous weapons within or around election venues is strictly forbidden. To combat electoral malpractice, practices such as vote-buying, vote-selling, and political canvassing are explicitly prohibited within the vicinity of polling units. Access to polling units and collation centres will be limited exclusively to accredited INEC officials, security personnel, election observers, and journalists, reinforcing the Kano State Police election guidelines. The command has also urged all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to fully comply with the provisions of the Nigeria Electoral Act 2026 and maintain law-abiding conduct throughout the electoral period.

In a concerted effort to bolster Dawakin Kudu election security, the Kano Police Command has collaborated with the Kano State chapter of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and other member agencies. This synergy has resulted in the strategic deployment of personnel and operational assets across all polling units, Registration Area Centres (RACs), collation centres, and identified flashpoints within the Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area. This extensive deployment underscores the proactive approach taken to prevent any potential security breaches.

The command also extended an appeal to parents and guardians, urging them to counsel their children and wards against being exploited as political thugs, which could lead to unrest before, during, or after the election. This proactive engagement with the community aims to mitigate potential violence and ensure a calm environment. The Kano State Police Command has reassured the residents of Dawakin Kudu LGA and the wider Kano State population of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property, and to fostering a secure atmosphere conducive to the exercise of their fundamental civic rights.

The stringent security measures and movement restrictions announced by the Kano State Police Command carry significant implications for various stakeholders, particularly those operating within Dawakin Kudu LGA. Legal professionals advising clients, including political figures, business owners, and community leaders, must be acutely aware of these directives. Ensuring compliance with the Kano by-election movement ban and other security protocols is paramount to avoid potential arrests or prosecution under the Nigeria Electoral Act 2026.

For instance, lawyers need to clearly communicate the VIP escorts election ban Nigeria to their high-profile clients, emphasizing that adherence is mandatory. Businesses operating within the restricted zone must also be advised on potential operational adjustments required due to the movement limitations. These comprehensive Kano State Police election guidelines are not merely suggestions but enforceable laws, designed to uphold the integrity of the democratic process and maintain public order during the by-election.

Lawyers advising clients in Kano's Dawakin Kudu LGA must be aware of the police-imposed movement restrictions and security protocols for the upcoming by-election to ensure compliance and avoid potential arrests or prosecution under the Electoral Act 2022. This includes advising VIPs on escort bans and businesses on operational adjustments.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH newspaper.