Kano state police command has reiterated determination to rid the state of political thugs before the 2019 general elections.
The state’s police commissioner, Rabi’u Yusuf stated this at a meeting with the leaders of various political parties in the state.
The commissioner who was represented by his deputy in charge of operations, DCP Balarabe Sule emphasized that “the days in which politicians incite violence and go free are gone,” stressing that the police was ready to deal decisively with any politician harbouring or sponsoring thugs to cause mayhem in any part of the state.
He said the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure the peaceful conduct of 2019 general elections.
He urged the leaders of various political parties to discourage their political aspirants from politics of calumny, adding that politics should not be a do-or-die affair.
“Politicians are responsible for all forms of political thuggery we have witnessed around, they provide drugs and weapons to our young men to foment trouble during and after elections, they hire them to attack their political opponents; but this time around we need a total shift from that form of politics.
“We are ready to provide security at political gathering for any politician but we will not take it lightly with any politician flaunting the rules of the game. Anybody caught with an illicit drug or weapon at any political event would be dealt with and his sponsor will not be spared,” Sule added.
He further asked the politicians to give 48hrs prior notice to the state police commissioner before any political gathering for security cover during the event.
Leaders of various political parties who attended the meeting described it as a welcomed development and promised to abide by its resolutions for the smooth conduct of 2019 general elections.