The Kano State Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), chaired by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amb. Zango Abdu, mni, on Thursday concluded security arrangements ahead of Saturday’s by-elections in Kano Municipal and Ungogo Local Government Area (LGA) State Constituencies.
According to a statement by the Kano Police Command spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the planning meeting, held on Friday, brought together key security stakeholders to finalize strategies aimed at ensuring peaceful and credible polls.
Co-Chair of ICCES and Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced that the Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, credible, and transparent electoral process.
To maintain law and order, the Command announced a total restriction on the movement of motor vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, 12 February 2026, the designated Election Day.
The restriction will apply across Kano Municipal and Ungogo LGAs. However, exceptions will be granted to vehicles on essential duties, including ambulances, fire service trucks, and vehicles conveying electoral officials and accredited observers.
The Police Command also outlined strict guidelines for access to polling units to includeoOnly eligible voters will be allowed at polling units, and only agents officially accredited and identified by INEC will be permitted at polling centres.
In addition, the carrying of weapons is strictly prohibited. Individuals wearing clothing or carrying items bearing political party logos will not be allowed at polling units. Loitering in and around polling centres will also not be tolerated.
The Command further clarified that state-backed security outfits such as vigilante groups, Neighborhood Watch, Hisbah, and KAROTA personnel will not be permitted at polling units during the election.
CP Bakori assured residents that security agencies would remain apolitical, impartial, professional, and neutral throughout the exercise. He urged residents and visitors in the affected LGAs to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies to ensure a smooth and hitch-free election.
The Kano State Police Command wished residents a peaceful and successful by-election and encouraged members of the public to report emergencies or suspicious activities through the following hotlines: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926.
