The police command in Kano says about 18,748 operatives have been deployed across the state for the March 18 governorship and state assembly elections.

Police commissioner Mamman Dauda stated this in an interview on Tuesday in Kano.

He said the 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.

Mr Dauda said a comprehensive operational order had since been issued to area commanders and divisional police officers for implementation.

“I am giving 100 per cent 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. “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.”

Mr Dauda assured Kano residents 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.

According to him, the inspector general of police has ordered for special deployment of 315 mobile personnel with modern working facilities to deal with any security threat during and after the election.

“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’s election in our area of supervision,” stated the police commissioner. “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.”

(NAN)