polls: Police deploys surveillance helicopter, others to Kano

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, sent a surveillance helicopter and other operational vehicles to Kano state on Friday in advance of the gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections on Saturday to ensure a hitch-free process.

The command has acquired anti-riot equipment as well as additional staff, according to the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, who confirmed the deployment in a statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna, to ensure appropriate security throughout the exercise.

Nonetheless, CP Gumel claimed that with the boost the command is fully ready since plans for guaranteeing a calm election process in the state have been finalized.

According to the statement, “The Kano State Police Command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police for the 2023 Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel received a Police Air-wing Surveillance Helicopter, additional Manpower, Operational Vehicles and Anti-riot equipment deployed to the State by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, ahead of March 18 Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections, today, 17th March 2023.

“The command is fully prepared and arrangements have been concluded for ensuring a peaceful election process,” the statement however reads.