Politics
#EndBadGovernance Protest: Kano Police Refute Casualty Claims Despite Evidence
Contrary to abounding evidence in the public space, the Kano State Police Command has officially reported that there were no deaths during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Commissioner of Police Salman-Dogo Garba made this announcement at a press conference on Monday, where he also presented suspects.
He stated, “According to our records, there have been no reported casualties.”
This statement contradicts reports which claimed that over five people were killed when the protests were reportedly disrupted by hoodlums.
Read More: DSS Wades Into Use Of Russian Flags In #EndBadGovernance2024 Protests In Kano
The families of the deceased continue to mourn, alleging that their loved ones were shot during the unrest.
Garba said, “Aftermath of these events resulted in the arrest of 873 suspects and recovery of a large quantity of exhibits. The command arrest and prosecute 600 suspects for various offences, including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, riot, theft, mischief, and arson.
“Arrest and prosecution of 150 suspects for violating the curfew enforced by the Kano State Government. Arrest of an additional six suspects linked with masterminding the destruction, setting ablaze and looting of the Kano Printing Press (KPP) are undergoing investigation. Arrest and transfer of 76 suspects flying Russian flags, including a foreigner to Force Headquarters, Abuja for discreet investigation on charges of sedition.
“Arrest of 41 suspects for other major crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping, car theft and recovery of two AK-47 Exhibit Rifles and other substantial properties looted by the hoodlums at Audu Baku Secretariat NCC Office, High Court Complexes, Kano Printing Press (KPP), Super Markets.”
He further noted that, despite the difficulties presented by the recent protests, the police command has successfully apprehended two suspected kidnappers, five armed robbers, eight car thieves, two individuals involved in human trafficking, one notorious drug dealer, and 23 suspected thugs.
Additionally, the command rescued 13 trafficking victims and seized two AK-47 rifles, one Beretta pistol, 47 rounds of ammunition, eight motor vehicles, and four sacks of Exol Tablets. The recovered items also include two Bajaj Boxer motorcycles, 22 cows, 15 sheep, and four donkeys.
He emphasized that the Kano State Police Command is resolute in its commitment to maintaining public order, preventing crime, and ensuring that citizens’ rights to peaceful protest are protected.
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki participated in the ongoing governorship election by casting his vote at polling unit 19, Ward 4, located at Emokpae Primary School in Benin City.
Arriving at the polling station, he was accredited and completed the voting process in under ten minutes.
Following his vote, Obaseki expressed his satisfaction with the election process and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a smooth collation of votes.
Read Also: #EdoDecides2024: Ighodalo, Wife Cast Votes
He also praised the resilience of voters who turned out to exercise their franchise despite the heavy rain.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has voted at his voting centre, Okaigben Ward 1, Unit 3, in Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ighodalo arrived at the polling booth at about 10:33am, a few minutes after INEC’s officials arrived.
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He, alongside his wife, Ifeyinwa, cast their ballot at Okaigben Ward 1, unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi.
The couple were accredited at about 12.03pm for voting at Okaigben Ward 1, unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi.
The PDP candidate expressed dissatisfaction over the late arrival of voting materials.
He is expected to battle against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Ekpobholo, for the votes in Edo Central Senatorial District, where both candidates hail from.
The Edo Central Senatorial District comprises of Esan South-East, Igueben and Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central LGAs.
Speaking after casting his ballot, the governorship candidate expressed displeasure over the slow pace of the process.
“The process has been slow, but thankfully, I’ve finally voted,” he said.
He, however, expresses optimism for victory.
Despite the early morning rain, voters have thronged the various polling units and cast their votes.
Voting has ended at some polling units, and results have been collated.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested several individuals suspected of vote buying during the ongoing Edo Governorship election.
Some of the arrests occurred around 10:00 a.m. in the Egor Local Government Area.
Three suspects—two men and one woman—were taken into custody, despite protests from local residents who claimed they were being unfairly targeted.
Read Also: EdoDecides2024: BIVAS Machine Failure Halts Voting In Ugbekun
In anticipation of the election, the EFCC had on Friday, announced plans to deploy operatives to monitor the electoral process, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining electoral integrity.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale had said, “Our operatives are on the ground to ensure that voters can exercise their rights without facing financial inducement. Vote buying is a financial crime, and the EFCC will not tolerate it.”
Also, Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization (CSO), had warned that politicians might resort to violence and vote buying during the upcoming Edo election.
Egor is one of eight local government areas (LGAs) identified as hotspots for these issues, along with Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, Oredo, Ikpoba Okha, Etsako West, Etsako East, and Esan South-East.
The organization stressed the urgent need to address vote buying through decisive actions, including the arrest and prosecution of those involved.
Yiaga noted a “volatile political climate” leading up to the election, pointing out that strong-arm tactics and violence have marred the campaign period.
Seventeen candidates are competing for over 2.2 million votes across the 18 LGAs in Edo.
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