The police in Kano State have charged 333 suspected thugs to court for various electoral offenses.
The suspects were arrested for disrupting the electoral process in Ghari, Bagwai and Shanono local government areas during the rerun and by-election on Saturday.
Exhibits recovered by the police included two ballot boxes, 163 thumb-printed ballot papers, 14 vehicles and over N4 million cash.
Dangerous weapons recovered from the suspects included a pump action rifle, five locally made guns, 16 swords and 18 cutlasses.
Other dangerous weapons recovered included a bow and 223 arrows, seven catapults and 45 stones, 18 knives and 94 long clubs.
Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, who briefed reporters on Monday stated that the polls were conducted under “challenging circumstances, as it witnessed individuals disrupting the process through massive importation of thugs from within and outside Kano State.”
He disclosed that the suspects were charged to Magistrate Courts 20,27, 44 Nomansland and Magistrate Courts Number 8 and 53, Gyadi-Gyadi Kano, on Monday for prosecution under various electoral offences.
The charges against the suspects include: Criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct, possession of offensive weapons, intimidation and loitering without lawful excuse after voting or being refused to vote.
Other charges include snatching or destruction of election materials, improper use of vehicles and solicitation for votes of another voter on election day, the police commissioner said.
Bakori disclosed that the arrests were successful through “clearance operations,” spearheaded by the Kano State Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
“I would like to commend the combined security agencies for their dedication, commitment, and selfless service during this challenging electoral period.
“Their professionalism and coordinated efforts were instrumental in containing the violence from spreading further and helped to safeguard the voters, election officials, and the general public,” he said.
Bakori assured the Police Command will ensure justice is served and that those who seek to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process would be held accountable.
