As a preventative measure to reduce violence during Saturday’s general election, the military, police, and Department of State Services have launched massive raids on criminals’ hideouts.
No fewer than 63 suspected thugs were detained in Kano on Thursday as part of the crackdown following an attack on New Nigeria Peoples Party supporters.
Ten vehicles were destroyed and at least four people were killed in the noontime attack on Naibawa-Zaria Road, according to reports.
When the incident occurred, it was discovered that supporters of the NNPP were on their way to Kwanar Dangora, which is on the outskirts of the city, to meet Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate.
In preparation for the grand finale of his presidential campaign rally, Kwankwaso was on his way to Kano.
According to the information provided by our correspondent, the NNPP, the People’s Democratic Party, and the All Progressive Congress had planned to mobilize their members to garner support for their candidates for the presidential and national assembly, but the violence foiled their efforts.
The PUNCH was informed by Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Public Relations Officer for the state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, that 63 suspects had been apprehended.
He stated that while 40 suspected thugs were initially apprehended and turned over to the police, a further 23 suspects were also taken into custody in connection with the attack.
“We have apprehended approximately 63 suspected thugs for causing public disturbances, wielding dangerous weapons, lighting vehicles on fire, and stealing phones from individuals. Before being arraigned in court, they will be investigated, Abdullahi stated.
In the meantime, the presidential campaign grand finale in the state that was planned by the APC, NNPP, and PDP has been halted by the state police command.
On Wednesday evening, the police also called the leaders of the three political parties to an emergency meeting, where they were told not to do anything that could cause a public breach.
In a statement, Mu’azu Mohammed, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, advised the parties to “postpone the planned presidential/national assembly rallies to a later date after the elections on February 25.”
DSS raid In a related development, the DSS said it found dangerous weapons at a property on Airport Road in the state’s Nasarawa Local Government Area.
Peter Afunanya, the service’s spokesperson, said in a statement that the state party’s claims that the service was intimidating its members were false.
Our correspondent’s checks revealed that the Kano State chapter of the NNPP had previously accused the service of intimidating its members and conducting raids on its campaign offices in the state, despite the fact that the service did not disclose the party.
However, Afunanya questioned how the weapons got to the property, claiming that the operation was driven by intelligence.
According to a portion of the statement, “The service engaged in proactive and intelligence-led operations across states to achieve the desired environment for the elections.”
For instance, on February 22, 2023, the service carried out a legally authorized search on a property along Airport Road in the Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State. It retrieved dangerous weapons from the aforementioned building during the operation, including a gun, daggers, swords, and jackknives.
Therefore, the claim that the service used intimidation against a specific political party in that state is false; if not, how did those weapons end up there? Are those materials for the campaign against violence?
“The DSS has provided equal opportunities for all political parties to engage in their lawful activities, whether in Kano or elsewhere.” This can be stated without any ambiguity or contradiction.
Ladipo Johnson, the Chief Spokesman for the NNPP Presidential Campaign Council, stated, “Let’s wait for the DSS to identify the party” in response to the alleged incident. On the eve of a crucial election, how can we determine whether this is not an attempt to disparage the party? Do you know if the weapons were deliberately placed there by some individuals? It’s conceivable. We will find out, though I haven’t heard anything.
The security forces pledged to defend the country’s democracy during a joint briefing with select journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
Brig. The Director of Defense Information A “strong force” would be used against those attempting to disrupt public order during the elections, Gen. Tukur Gusau warned.
“We are ready to conduct a hitch-free election in the country,” he stated. Nigeria’s armed forces are prepared to assist the police and other election-related government agencies. The Chief of Defense Staff has conveyed clearly that the AFN is fully committed to working with other security agencies to ensure the success of this election.
“The AFN is ready to defend democracy at any cost, and we are very loyal to the Nigerian state. We are committed to strong and viable constitutional democracy. Across the nation, all of our regular operations and responsibilities will continue simultaneously during the elections.
“I want to take this opportunity to reiterate the CDS’s warning to undesirable elements that the AFN and other security agencies are prepared to subvert any threats to peace and tranquility, and that those who wish to disrupt public order during the general election will be dealt with with strong force. Throughout the election, the AFN has adequately informed its personnel of their expected roles.