Police Impose 18-Hour Movement Ban for Kano Assembly By-Elections
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – The Kano State Police Command has announced an 18-hour restriction on movement across Kano Municipal and Ungogo Local Government Areas ahead of Saturday’s State Assembly by-elections, as part of heightened security measures to ensure peaceful polls.
The restriction, which will run from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on February 21, 2026, applies to all motor vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles. Authorities said only vehicles on essential duties which also include ambulances, fire service trucks, and those belonging to electoral officials and accredited observers will be permitted to operate during the period.
Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who announced the directive on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said the measure followed a security review meeting convened by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said “The Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has put all necessary measures in place to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, credible, transparent, and successful by-elections”.
The security meeting was chaired by the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ambassador Zango Abdu, alongside the Commissioner of Police.
According to the police, the committee concluded operational deployments and agreed on coordinated strategies to prevent any breach of peace during the exercise.
Beyond the movement ban, the Command said only eligible voters and officially accredited party agents identified by INEC will be allowed within polling units.
“Loitering in or around polling units will not be tolerated,” the statement warned, adding that security personnel have been directed to enforce the guidelines strictly but professionally.
The police also prohibited the carrying of weapons and the display of political party insignia at polling centres.
“Individuals wearing clothing or carrying items with political party logos or identities will not be allowed at polling units,” the Command said, stressing that the aim is to maintain neutrality and prevent voter intimidation.
In a significant directive, state-backed security outfits such as vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch members, Hisbah corps, and traffic agencies were barred from operating at polling units. The police emphasized that only constitutionally recognized security agencies will be deployed for election duties.
While assuring residents of adequate protection, the Command urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement agents.
“Security agencies will remain apolitical, impartial, professional, neutral and civil in the discharge of their duties,” the statement added, encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities through designated emergency numbers as Kano prepares for the crucial by-elections.