The Kano State Police Command on Saturday announced the arrest of 288 suspected political thugs found with dangerous weapons across four local government areas where the bye-election was taking place.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the development in a telephone interview, disclosing that the suspects were apprehended while allegedly attempting to disrupt the exercise.
“As of 1 p.m. today, 288 thugs were arrested with dangerous weapons in the local government areas where the bye-election is ongoing,” Haruna said.
According to him, those arrested included the alleged sponsors of the hoodlums.
Items recovered from the suspects included a pump-action rifle, four locally made guns, cutlasses, sticks, bows and arrows, knives, catapults, and other weapons.
In a related incident, security operatives intercepted hundreds of armed men in Bagwai town as they allegedly tried to interfere with voting.
The suspects were swiftly rounded up and disarmed.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, Abdu Zango, who confirmed the arrests, said the prompt response of security agencies prevented a breakdown of law and order.
He noted that while thugs attempted to obstruct the movement of election materials in Shanono town—a known flashpoint during polls—the presence of security personnel ensured that the situation was brought under control.
Zango expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, stressing that reports from across the state suggested that voting was largely peaceful due to the heavy deployment of security.