SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, (THEWILL) – The police in Kano State has insisted that the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Nasiru Yusif Gawuna, was “rescued” from the venue of the election collation and not arrested.
It however, stated that the Chairman of the Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state, Lamin Sani, and the state’s Commissioner of Local Government, Murtala Sule, were arrested for attempting to destroy election result sheets.
Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, said this in a statement on Monday afternoon.
This comes amid reports that Gawuna was arrested in connection with the attempt to disrupt the poll in the LGA and the uncertainty about the fate of the results from there.
Initial reports filed in had indicated that the deputy governor was attacked by thugs at the collation centre, however, several other reports and witnesses suggested that the Deputy Governor was among those who attempted to disrupt the electoral process in the LGA.
Videos making the rounds online also showed the Deputy Governor being taken away by police personnel.
However, the Kano Police Command, in a statement said, “the Deputy Governor of Kano State Dr Nasiru Yusif Gawuna was rescued from the scene”.
Read the full statement below:
“PRESS BRIEFING BY THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER KANO STATE COMMAND DSP, ABDULLAHI HARUNA, AT THE BOMPAI POLICE HEADQUARTERS KANO ON MONDAY 11TH MARCH, 2019.
ARREST OF ELECTION RESULT SHEET SNATCHERS: On the 11th March 2019 at about 0100hrs one Murtala Sule ‘M’ Commissioner for Local Government Kano State and Lamin Sani ‘M’ the Executive Chairman Nassarawa Local Government Kano State were arrested at Nassarawa Local Government Area Collation Centre for 2019 Gubernatorial and State Assembly Election.
They were alleged to have penetrated the collation centre and attempted to destroy election result sheets. While his Excellency the Deputy Governor of Kano State Dr Nasiru Yusif Gawuna was rescued from the scene.
An investigation into this ugly incident has commenced and the command is assuring members of the public that whoever is involved will be investigated and charge to court.
Members of the public are enjoined to remain calm as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is underway to announce the Election results.
Furthermore, it is also observed that some Political gladiators in the State commenced celebrations of Election victory, the command is putting it clear to all and sundry that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be allowed to finish Collating the results and declare authentic winners before any celebrations.
This is to maintain peace and harmony and do away with any incident of accident and breach of peace. Any person or persons that engage in such celebrations leading to a breach of peace will be arrested and prosecuted as provided by the law.
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