The Kano State Police Command on Sunday barred civil society organisations and other interest groups from marking the Democracy Day in Kano.
It was gathered that the groups had assembled at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training in the Gwamaja quarters to observe the day, when they were dispersed by armed policemen.
According to a joint press statement issued by the National Response Initiative (NRI) and the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), the civil society organisations in the state expressed regret over the action of the police.
It was gathered that prior to the development, the NRI and KCSF had planned to hold a conference titled, ‘Consolidating Democracy: Celebrating One Year since the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria’.
The statement, signed by M.M. Adam and Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, read, “We received a very short notice in the morning of the event to the effect that the police had banned any activity at the venue, and possibly in any other place within the state, even to those desiring to celebrate the usual annual Democracy Day, which has been in existence for the last 16 years.
“This is particularly important because Nigeria is currently working to enshrine respect for the rule of law in line with our constitution.”
Also commenting on the issue, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Prof. Sule Bello, described the action of the police as strange, adding that it was an attempt to demean democracy.
The Kano Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Magaji Majiya, who was contacted on the telephone, said he was not aware of the situation.
However, a highly placed police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the action was based on intelligence report.
“You are aware of the security situation in the state. We do not want to take chances.
“The police took the action based on orders from above and intelligence report,” the source added.
