Police restrict movement before Kano by‑election

The Kano State Police Command has announced movement restrictions in portions of the state in preparation for the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency bye‑election set for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The restrictions will apply to both vehicles and pedestrians in the Dawakin Kudu and Warawa Local Government Areas during the election period.

The directive was issued in a statement released on Friday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.

According to the statement, the measure forms part of security arrangements agreed at the Inter‑Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting held on Wednesday.

Commissioner of Police for the Kano State Command, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, directed full implementation of the security plan to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.

“The security architecture developed with all ICCES partners will be fully deployed to guarantee a peaceful and orderly electoral process,” the statement said.

The command clarified that movement will be restricted between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm on election day.

“There will be total restriction of vehicular and pedestrian movement within Dawakin Kudu and Warawa Local Government Areas from 1200hrs to 1700hrs on Saturday, June 20, 2026,” it stated.

Exemptions will be granted to essential workers, INEC officials, accredited observers, and approved media personnel.

The command also disclosed that security personnel have been positioned at polling units, collation centres, and other critical locations to safeguard voters and electoral materials.

It warned against electoral malpractice, emphasizing that violence, vote buying, ballot‑box snatching, and misinformation would not be tolerated.

“The Command has zero tolerance for electoral violence and any form of malpractice. Anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted under the Electoral Act,” the statement added.

Residents were urged to remain peaceful, follow all election guidelines, and report any suspicious activity to security agencies via designated emergency lines.