The Kano State Police Command has announced a restriction of movement in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area ahead of the State Assembly by-election scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The restriction will begin at midnight (12:00 am) on Saturday and end at 5:00 pm, according to a statement issued by the command on Friday.
The police said the decision was taken in consultation with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said only people on essential duties with valid identification would be allowed to move around the area during the restriction.
In a statement issued by the Kano State Police Command spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on Friday, CP Bakori said those exempted included INEC officials, accredited election observers, medical workers, firefighters and accredited journalists.
He also announced a total ban on security aides and escorts attached to VIPs, political office holders and government officials from accompanying their principals to polling units and collation centres.
Quasi-security outfits, vigilante groups and voluntary organisations are also barred from taking part in the election security arrangement or loitering around polling units.
The Commissioner of Police warned that nobody would be allowed to carry arms or other dangerous weapons within or around election venues.
“All forms of vote-buying, vote-selling, and political canvassing within the vicinity of polling units are strictly prohibited,” he added.
The police boss also said, “Only accredited INEC officials, security personnel, election observers and journalists will be allowed access to polling units and collation centres.”
Political parties, candidates and their supporters were urged to obey the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended, and remain law-abiding throughout the election.
According to CP Bakori, the Command had deployed enough personnel and operational equipment to polling units, Registration Area Centres, collation centres and identified flashpoints across Dawakin Kudu.
He added that joint patrol teams would enforce the restrictions and respond quickly to any breach of the peace.
The Commissioner of Police warned that anyone who violated the movement restriction or other electoral guidelines would be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.
Bakori also appealed to parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against allowing themselves to be used as political thugs before, during or after the election.
He enjoined the public to report emergencies or suspicious activities to the Kano Police Command through 08032419754, 08123821575 or 09029292926.
He assured residents of Dawakin Kudu and Kano State of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and providing a secure environment for voters to exercise their civic rights.
Kano police restricts movement in Dawakin Kudu ahead of Saturday’s by-election