The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 288 suspected political thugs allegedly linked to various politicians during a by-election across four local government areas in Kano State. The arrests were made on Saturday as the by-election for the State House of Assembly was underway.
Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the development in a telephone interview, stating that the suspects were apprehended while attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
“As of 1 p.m. today, 288 thugs were arrested with dangerous weapons in the areas where the by-election is being held,” Haruna said.
Recovered weapons included one pump-action gun, four locally-made firearms, cutlasses, sticks, bows and arrows, knives, and catapults.
In a separate incident in Bagwai town, security forces intercepted and detained hundreds of armed individuals attempting to interfere with the election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, confirmed the arrests, noting that security personnel acted swiftly to maintain order.
Zango also reported a similar incident in Shanono town, a known election flashpoint, where thugs tried to disrupt the distribution of election materials. However, security forces quickly intervened to restore calm.
Despite these challenges, Zango expressed general satisfaction with the conduct of the election and the heavy presence of security personnel.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, Femi Dexter Akin-Alamu, accused unnamed politicians of engaging in vote-buying. Speaking after casting his vote at the University of Ibadan, he alleged that voters were being offered cash and other incentives in exchange for their support.
Akin-Alamu condemned the practice, warning that it undermines democratic principles and threatens the integrity of the electoral process.
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