The Kano State Police Command has announced a restriction of movement in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area ahead of the by-election for the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026.

This was contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH on Friday.

The statement read, “The Kano State Police Command wishes to inform the public that, as part of measures to ensure a peaceful, credible, and hitch-free by-election for Dawakin Kudu State Constituency scheduled for Saturday, 19th September 2026, there will be restriction of movement in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area.”

According to the statement, there will be restriction of movement within the affected local government from 12:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, 19th September 2026.

It explained that only those on essential duties with valid means of identification, such as INEC officials, accredited election observers, medical personnel, firefighters and accredited journalists, would be allowed to move during the period.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, warns that anyone found violating the restriction order or any of the electoral guidelines will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

It added that all security aides and escorts attached to VIPs, political office holders and government functionaries were barred from accompanying their principals to polling units and collation centres.

Meanwhile, no quasi-security outfit, vigilante group or voluntary organisation would be allowed to participate in the election security arrangement or loiter around polling units.

“No person will also be allowed to carry arms or any dangerous weapon within and around the election venues.

“In addition, all forms of vote-buying, vote-selling and political canvassing within the vicinity of polling units are strictly prohibited, as only accredited INEC officials, security personnel, election observers and journalists will be allowed access to polling units and collation centres,” the statement read.

The command further urged all political parties, candidates and their supporters to comply fully with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and be law-abiding.

The Kano Police Command, in synergy with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, Kano State chapter, and other member agencies, has deployed personnel and operational assets to all polling units, RAC centres, collation centres and flashpoints within Dawakin Kudu LGA.

The command also appealed to parents and guardians to caution their wards against being used as political thugs to cause mayhem before, during and after the election.

“The Kano State Police Command assures the good people of Dawakin Kudu LGA and Kano State at large of its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring a secure environment for the exercise of their civic rights,” the statement added. (The PUNCH)