The Kano State Police Command has assured residents of robust security before, during and after the 2027 general elections, while urging information officers to combat fake news, misinformation and disinformation capable of triggering electoral violence.
The Commissioner of Police, Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, gave the assurance on Saturday at the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kano State Chapter, held at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.
Bakori, who attended the event as Special Guest of Honour, said effective information management was critical to ensuring peaceful elections and sustaining public confidence in the electoral process.
Speaking on the theme, “Managing Election Results: The Role of Information Officers,” the police commissioner described the topic as timely and strategic in view of the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
He noted that elections were not isolated events but processes in which information played a crucial role in shaping public perception and determining the level of trust in electoral outcomes.
According to him, poorly managed information could fuel rumours, incite violence and undermine public confidence, while accurate and responsible communication would promote peace, build trust and strengthen democracy.
The commissioner stressed that information officers were more than mere distributors of press releases, describing them as gatekeepers of truth and the first line of defence against misinformation, disinformation and fake news.
He said their responsibilities became particularly important while election results were being awaited, collated and announced, when false reports and unverified claims could heighten tensions.
Bakori assured that the command, in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, would establish a robust security framework to safeguard the electoral process across Kano State.
He disclosed that the command had commenced stakeholder engagements, training and sensitisation programmes involving youth groups, political actors and media practitioners as part of efforts to prevent electoral violence.
The police commissioner added that intelligence-led operations and collaboration among security agencies would be sustained to tackle hate speech, political thuggery, fake news and other forms of communication capable of disrupting public peace.
He urged information officers to adopt clear and ethical standards for communicating election results, emphasising accuracy over speed, responsibility over sensationalism, and national interest over personal or partisan interests.
Earlier, Professor Sule Yau Sule delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the responsibilities of information officers in managing election results and stressing the importance of professionalism, ethical conduct and national interest.
A lead paper on the theme was presented by the Director-General of the Media and Publicity Directorate, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who was represented by the Chief Press Secretary, Mustafa Mohammed.
The paper examined the principles of ethical communication and the need to counter misinformation and disinformation that could provoke electoral violence.
Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State, Ambassador Zango Abdu, assured that the commission was preparing for free, fair, credible and transparent elections in 2027.
He said INEC would rely on improved technology and stronger stakeholder engagement to enhance the credibility of the electoral process.
The AGM attracted government officials, security representatives, media practitioners and other stakeholders, who discussed ways to strengthen cooperation among security agencies, INEC, government institutions and the media to ensure peaceful elections.
