Despite banning of protest in Kano by the state police command, residents of the state on Monday, staged a peaceful protest to express their displeasure over the political logjam facing the state.
However, the protesters who entered some streets in the state said that the people voted for governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and should be allowed to rule the state.
One of the protesters, Hafix Ibrahim, said the protest was organised and decided that it would not last more than some minutes to avoid being arrested by security operatives.
Findings revealed that the protest held simultaneously, at Kwanti- Kwari Market, Hotoro area and Naibawa areas of the state capital between 11 am and 12 pm and did not last more than some minutes.
The protesters, who caught police unaware, staged the peaceful protest without causing any havoc, only expressing their displeasure, saying “Is Abba we voted for. Allow Abba Gida to rule us”.
It be recalled that the state police, Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Gumel, warned that there must be no protest on the ongoing tussle surrounding the
governorship election, which is now before the Supreme Court
According to him, the two political parties, the New Nigeria People Party ( NNPP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC)had entered into a peace accord before and after election, that they would not stage protest
As of the time of filing this report, the police was yet to comment on the protest as all effort to get the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) SP Haruna Kiyawa was unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, while addressing a press conference early in the day the state police command, has said that it has uncovered a game plan, by some political groups, planning to embark on mass protest designed to breach the peace and cause destruction of lives and properties in the state.
Making these known on Monday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Gumel, during a press conference, said that the ” attention of the police command has been drawn to a planned protest by some faceless political groups who are currently hiding under the guise of different lawful associations, one of which is the Kano traders’ association”
Similar intelligence reports revealed that these faceless people are trying to begin the use of some media outlets in sending negative and poisonous messages against the police and other security agencies on the ongoing peace efforts we are embarking on.
He said that the trader associations, have dissociated themselves from any plan to stage a protest on the lingering political logjam facing the state.
He then stated that the seven people arrested by the police, during an illegal protest would be arraigned before a court of law
He disclosed that “Already, the leadership of the Kantin Kwari, Sabongari, K/Wambai, Singer and some other market traders associations within the metropolis have informed the Police Command of their resolve on the planned protest.
“On this, the combined traders association not only disassociated themselves from such unpatriotic plan but also made their position clear that they are not part of the ongoing political development in any way.”
They also reiterated that they neither have intention to organise such protest nor close their shops today, Monday, November 27, 2023.
He however recalled that on Sunday, November 26, some members of these faceless groups, with unclear political identity, had gathered themselves at different locations in Ungoggo, Kusa and Bebeji Local Government Areas, pretending to be holding “special prayers.”
“Please let them be aware that we are following up on every inch of their activities and already aware that overtly such gathering was not intended for special prayers but with intention to promote breach of the peace and to bring untold hardship on the peace-loving people of the state.”
He then added; “Already, the leadership of the Police Command is in touch with the leadership of the NNPP and the APC adding that both have re-assured us that they stand on the already signed Peace Accord.
“They also told us that their political parties will dissociate with any person, or group of persons, who are planning to cause trouble in the state protest or unguided statements that are capable of causing chaos.
“On this note, let me assure the good citizens of Kano state that the security of their lives and PR remain our paramount goal.
“They should remain calm and move about with their lawful bus without fear. Currently, we have mapped out strategies on how to deal with any such plan for b restiveness in the State.
“The Police command is, by this press briefing, warning anyone or persons found engaging in activities that are capable of breaching the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed in the state this category of people is advised to desist from doing so, the Police will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute them.”
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