The Kano State Police Command has banned protest by political parties and their supporters sequel to mounting tension over alleged financial inducement of the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in the state.

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usuani Gumel, announced the ban at a press conference in Kano on Monday, August 21, 2023.

It would be recalled that the Chairman, State and House of Representatives Election Petition Tribunal in Kano State, Justice Flora Azinge, raised alarm over alleged attempt to obstruct the cause of justice with financial inducement.

The police commissioner, however, warned supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to desist from all forms of protests without clearance from the police.

He said: “In consideration of the confirmatory intelligence products at the disposal of this Police Command, all forms of street protests are hereby banned across all parts of the state.

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“Members of the public should therefore note that it has come to our knowledge that both the APC and the NNPP members are currently mobilising rented crowd in the guise of Civil Society Coalition, and without clearance from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and without prior approval from the security agencies in the state.

“Both organisers, as well as the umbrella body, should note that any attempt to disrespect NLC and the security agencies in the state by playing around the fragile security situation, which the combined security agencies have been managing, is not only uncivil, criminal but also an offense against national security.

“Checks have so far been conducted by this Police Command revealed that some members of both two political parties who are influencing the members of the civil society to embark on this decision is merely as a result of their apprehensions and to pre-empt the judgement of the election tribunal.”

Gumel warned that the police operatives would arrest and prosecute defaulters, adding: “The Police Command is ever grateful with the enormous support and cooperation it has been enjoying from the good people of the state for the peace, security, stability and the overall interest of all residents.”

The Star