Kano Police Enforces 24-Hour Curfew Following Tribunal’s Verdict Sacking Abba Yusuf

Tensions flared in Kano State as the Kano State Police imposed a 24-hour curfew in the wake of a groundbreaking tribunal ruling that stripped Abba Yusuf of his position as governor.

In a highly anticipated judgment delivered on Wednesday, the tribunal ordered the immediate withdrawal of the certificate of return, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had presented to Abba Yusuf. The tribunal, in a shocking twist, declared Nasiru Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the duly elected governor of the state.

The announcement of the curfew was made by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel, who underscored the necessity of maintaining public order and safety during this tumultuous period. The curfew, effective from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, will remain in force until 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Gumel, in a press statement, declared the police force’s unwavering commitment to ensuring strict compliance with the curfew, cautioning that any breaches of the curfew order would result in immediate arrests and legal consequences.

He stated, “A 24-hour curfew order has been communicated by the state government via letter with reference no: K/SEC/H/435/T.1/153 dated 20th September 2023, taking effect from 6 pm on Wednesday, 20th September, to 6 pm on Thursday, 21st September 2023.”

“In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force alongside the relevant internal security and law enforcement agencies to preserve law and order in the state, the Kano State Police Command has mapped out strategies in that direction and called on the good people of the state to give the necessary confidence and support.

“Going forward, Kano State residents are called upon to note that combined security forces have already been dispatched to the nooks and crannies including the entry and exits of the state to ensure enforcement and strict compliance of the curfew. Violators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.’’

“Finally, I wish to appreciate all the peace-loving people of the state and urge them to remain law-abiding as it’s in the best interest of all that we come together to maintain law and order in the state,” Gumel added.

Before the imposition of the curfew, anxiety swept through Kano State, leading to hasty closures of shops and businesses across major markets and shopping plazas. Residents, concerned about potential unrest, rushed back to their homes after the tribunal invalidated Abba Yusuf’s election as the governor of Kano State.

This landmark decision and the subsequent curfew have left Kano State in a state of flux, with the political landscape evolving rapidly as the state awaits the outcome of potential legal challenges and reactions from various stakeholders.