According to the statement, neither of the groups had informed the police command of the plan to conduct any protest or gathering.
The Kano State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has warned members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state against plans to protest against the Court of Appeal judgment affirming the removal of the state Governor, Abba Yusuf.
A statement by the Command's spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna, cautioned the members of the two political parties that its operatives would deal ruthlessly with anyone that violated the order.
Haruna in the statement issued on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Husaini Gumel, accused some supporters of both parties of using various media platforms and mobilising people and planning to enter the streets on Saturday, November 25, 2023, to stage protest against the Kano State Governorship Appeal Court’s verdict.
According to the statement, neither of the groups had informed the police command of the plan to conduct any protest or gathering.
“Credible information at the command’s disposal revealed that some groups of people claiming to be political party supporters of both the NNPP and the APC are using various media platforms and mobilising people and planning to enter the streets on Saturday, November 25, 2023, to stage protest against the Kano State Governorship Appeal Court’s verdict," the statement partly read.
”The information further revealed that the intention of the protesters is to shut down the state and attack prominent political party opponents; an action which may likely result in violence.
”At this juncture, the police command is making it categorically clear that no formal notice was received from any of these political parties about the plan to conduct any protest or gathering."
While calling on residents of Kano State to be extra careful, the Command warned that whoever intends to conduct any protest or procession should do so only in accordance with the provisions of the law.
“Furthermore, the position of the law is very clear, whoever attempts to disrupt the peace in the state will be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.”
It added, “The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Police Command, CP Mohammed Gumel, FIPMA, on all residents to maintain calmness and avoid any form of unlawful gathering, protest, or procession that may trigger violence as joint security forces have since been dispatched to strategic locations to safeguard peace and order throughout the state.”
It should be recalled that the leaderships of both the NNPP and the APC before and after the State Governorship Court of Appeal ruling, had signed peace accord before the state police command where both pledged to work with the security agencies to promote peace in the state.