18,748 security personnel deployed in Kano for gov poll

A total of 18,748 security personnel have been deployed in different parts of Kano State ahead of the conduct of the March 18 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The Commissioner for Police, Mr Mamman Dauda, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano.

He said that police and other security agencies would provide water-tight security across the 11,222 polling units in 484 wards across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Dauda said that a comprehensive operational order had since been issued to Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers for implementation.

He assured that the police and other security agencies were prepared and ready to protect voters and INEC officials during and after the election.

“I am giving 100 percent assurance to all law-abiding residents of the state that they can go about freely to exercise their franchise on March 18 without threat to lives and property,” he said.

The police boss however urged the security personnel to ensure that they abide by the provisions of the Electoral Act and ensure that the election was free, fair, and credible in all parts of the state.

“We are to be civil and respect the rights of citizens. We are to collaborate with other sister security agencies, to enable residents to participate in electing leaders of their choice.”

Dauda assured residents of the state of the safety of their lives before, during, and after the election.

He added that all the areas noted for crisis or where security threats might come from had been taken care of and would be well policed.

Dauda also said that the Inspector-General of Police had ordered for special deployment of 315 mobile personnel with modern working facilities to deal with any form of security threat during and after the election.

The commissioner of police assured the residents that the police would provide a level playing ground for the smooth implementation of the electoral process in the state.

“I assure the good people of Kano state that the Police and state security agencies will provide a peaceful political atmosphere for the conduct of Saturday election in our area of supervision.

“We will not tolerate any act capable of bringing confusion before, during, and after the election, any person or groups found disobeying orders would be arrested and prosecuted,” he warned.

The commissioner also called on parents not to allow their children to be used as political thugs as any person or group of people found wanting would be dealt with accordingly.