LOCAL vigilante group members were today, observed holding sticks and locally crafted swords as they provided security for residents during the local government elections in Kano State.
As of the time of this report, no police officers were visible at polling units.
Newsmen noted that some local security personnel stood behind residents holding sticks and swords as voters prepared to cast their ballots. By this time, electoral officials had started arriving at the polling units.
This development follows a ruling by the Kano State High Court that empowered the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) to proceed with the elections, dismissing attempts by political parties to halt the process.
Presiding Judge Justice Sanusi Ma’aji affirmed that KANSIEC has the constitutional mandate to organize and supervise elections across the 44 LGAs in Kano State.
KANSIEC had brought the case against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other parties.
Reports revealed that voting materials have already begun arriving at polling units with Local vigilante groups and officials from the Kano Road Transport Agency (Karota) providing security at the polling sites.
This follows a statement shared in a video released yesterday from the Kano State Police Command, by Superintendent Abdullahi Haruna, confirming that it would adhere to the court order barring its involvement in the elections.
“We will comply with the court order preventing us from participating in the upcoming Kano State Local Government Election. However, we will continue to uphold our constitutional duties to protect lives and property.
“You are aware of the court order received by the Police Command here in Kano, which stipulates that the police should refrain from participating in the local government election in the state.
“Although we’re not involved in the election, we remain committed to maintaining law and order across the state,” Haruna stated.
