The Police in Kano State have stopped organisers of the “Tinubu-Must-Go” campaign from holding a planned meeting at a private venue where they intended to discuss their proposed protest.
The Commissioner of Police, Kano Command, Ibrahim Bakori, defended the action of operatives in a statement, citing security concerns and the need to prevent a breakdown of law and order, while acknowledging the right of people to lawful assembly.
According to the Police Commissioner, the decision was informed by concerns for the safety of the organisers and residents, particularly as the meeting was expected to attract about seven hundred participants.
However, one of the conveners, a legal practitioner based in Kano, Abba Hikima, criticised the action of the Police, alleging partisanship and insisting that the planned meeting was lawful and peaceful.
In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police has commenced the prosecution of a Kano politician, Aminu Abdullahi Warkal, for alleged public display of a firearm during a political campaign rally.
The case came up before Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano on Monday, with the Inspector-General of Police as the plaintiff and Aminu Abdullahi Warkal as the defendant.
Court records identified Aminu Abdullahi Warkal, as a politican contesting for a position to the Kano State House of Assembly for the 2027 election.
Documents filed at Court claim that he was recently seen with fire arm on a campaign vehicle with large crowd in Kano.
The Police belive that the act is dangerious to public safety and goes contrary to existing laws of the land prohibiting unlawful procession of firearm by aunthorized perosns.
When the matter came up, the prosecution counsel informed Justice Simon Amobeda that the defendant had been invited to the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja for questioning, making it impossible for the trial to commence.
Justice Amobeda subsequently adjourned the matter until October 15, 2026 for arraignment.
The prosecution comes amid growing preparations for the 2027 general elections and highlighten the legal implications of the unlawful possession or use of firearms under Nigeria’s firearms laws.
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(Editor: Ken Eseni)
