The police command in Kano says it has arrested 333 suspects for various electoral offences during the just-concluded Ghari/Tsanyawa rerun poll and Bagwai/Shanono by-election held on Saturday.

Police commissioner Ibrahim Adamu disclosed this at a news briefing in Kano on Monday. Mr Adamu said the suspects were apprehended in Ghari, Bagwai, and Shanono LGAs for reportedly disrupting the electoral process and attempting to undermine the credibility of the exercise.

He said items recovered from the suspects included one pump-action rifle, five locally-made guns, 94 long sticks, 16 swords, 18 cutlasses, 32 locally-made weapons, 18 knives, a bow, and 23 arrows. Others included seven catapults, 45 stones, 14 vehicles, two ballot boxes, 163 thumb-printed ballot papers, and N4.048 million in cash.

“All the arrested suspects have been charged before Magistrate Courts 20, 27, 44 and Magistrate Courts 8 and 53 in Kano for prosecution under various electoral offences,” Mr Adamu said.

The offences, he said, included criminal conspiracy, possession of offensive weapons, intimidation, loitering without lawful excuse after voting, destruction of election materials, improper use of vehicles, and vote solicitation.

He commended the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and other security agencies for their professionalism and coordinated efforts in safeguarding the process.

According to him, their combined efforts prevented the violence from spreading and ensured the safety of voters and election officials.

The commissioner urged residents to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security personnel, and view security as a collective responsibility.

“For emergencies or to report suspicious activities, please contact the command via 08032419754 or 09029292926,” Mr Adamu said.

(NAN)