The police command in Kano has banned police escorts attached to VIPs and political office holders to all locations where the election reruns will be held on Saturday.

Police commissioner Muhammed Gumel said this in an interview on Thursday in Kano.

Mr Gumel warned that thuggery and importation of thugs by any political interest group would not be tolerated.

“Policemen are banned from escorting VIP and political office holders to all locations where elections are taking place. Troublemakers are warned to steer clear of the rerun election venues. Carrying all sorts of weapons during the rerun election will not be tolerated.

“All forms of thuggery and importation of thugs by any political interest groups will not be tolerated,” said the police chief in Kano.

According to him, adequate security personnel have been deployed to arrest anyone who attempts to override the security provision, cause breach of the peace or breakdown of the law.

He added, “In line with the provisions of the electoral guidelines, all quasi-security outfits like Hisbah, KAROTA, vigilante, hunters, Man O War, Boys Scouts etc. will not participate in the rerun election.”

He pledged the command’s determination to provide the needed security machinery in conjunction with other relevant security agencies that are members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security.

He said there would be restrictions on movement in the six local government areas where the rerun elections would be held, except for essential services such as ambulances, medical emergencies, fire services and similar emergencies.

The police chief said that only those accredited by INEC to conduct elections in those locations, including the media, would be allowed access.

“Only eligible voters screened by INEC will be allowed to vote. Only people with voter cards indicating the said particular polling unit where the rerun election is scheduled to hold will be allowed to vote.

“Nobody will be allowed within the voting premises except those accredited by INEC, including party agents. There will be rigorous stop and search and patrols in all the LGAs where the rerun elections will be held,” Mr Gumel said.

INEC will be conducting election reruns in 66 polling units in three constituencies.

The three constituencies have six LGAs with 12 polling units in Tsanyawa/Kunchi, 21 in Kura/Garun Malam and 33 in Tofa/Rimin Gado.

The command also listed its emergency numbers as 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926 or the ‘NPF Rescue’ available on Play Store.

(NAN)