Kano State Police Command has charged seven protesters to court for allegedly trying to cause unrest over the Appeal Court judgment on the state governorship election.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, disclosed this at a press conference on Monday.
He said the protesters, five males and two females, were charged with offences related to public peace and order.
CP Gumel also expressed concern over the activities of some unidentified groups who were hiding under the cover of lawful associations and planning to stage protests and create chaos in the state.
He warned that they would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the peace and security of the state.
He said the police command had received information that some faceless political groups, masquerading as traders’ associations, were planning to protest against the Appeal Court ruling that upheld the election of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
He said the leaders of the major market traders associations in the state had informed the police that they were not part of the planned protest and that they had no intention to close their shops or join any political agitation.
He said the traders had appealed to their members to remain law-abiding and focus on their legitimate businesses, and not to be dragged into partisan politics that could affect their livelihoods.
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He said the traders had also pledged to cooperate with the police to maintain peace and order in the state, adding that without a peaceful atmosphere, their businesses would not thrive.
He recalled that on Sunday, some members of the unidentified groups had gathered at different locations in Ungoggo, Kura and Bebeji Local Government Areas, claiming to be holding “special prayers”.
He said the police had dispersed them as they were suspected to have ulterior motives to breach the peace and cause hardship to the people of the state.
He said the police had also received intelligence reports that the same groups were trying to use some media outlets to spread negative and poisonous messages against the police and other security agencies on the efforts to ensure peace in the state.
He said the groups were putting pressure on the law-abiding and innocent people to be killed in their desperation to trigger violence and create disharmony among the security operatives and the public.
He urged the public to disregard any inciting messages from such groups and report any suspicious activities to the police. He assured the public that the police would continue to protect lives and property and enforce the law in the state.