The number of suspected political thugs arrested by the Kano State Police Command has risen to 950.
The state Police Commissioner, Wakili Mohammed, confirmed the figure when members of the Kano Election Peace Committee paid him a visit in his office on Tuesday.
He said the command had so far apprehended no fewer than 950 suspected political thugs, locally referred to as ‘Yan Daba’, for allegedly attacking innocent residents of Kano metropolis within the last nine days.
He explained that most of the suspects were picked up in different parts of the city for attacking residents with dangerous weapons.
According to him, out of the number, 750 have been remanded in various prisons pending the completion of their trial by the courts.
The CP said most of those arrested were found either acting under the influence of substances suspected to be hard drugs, possession of illicit drugs or with dangerous weapons.
“We are consistently raiding black spots and once you are arrested and confirmed to be a ‘Dan Daba’, nobody will bail you,” Mohammed said
He vowed that the command, under his watch, would not fold its arms and allow some disgruntled elements to continue to harass and intimidate innocent citizens of the state.
While assuring members of the public that the police would be neutral during Saturday’s polls, the CP told members of the delegation, “The police force is not a political party and if it were a political party, then it is my political party. I agree with what you stand for that is peace. You have my total and unwavering support, because what you stand for is the bedrock of socio-economic development of any society.
“The issue of drugs needs a serious approach. We will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the state is rid of criminals and any form of criminality.”
Earlier, the co-Chairman of the committee, Rev Namaza Niyiring, commended the new police boss for his efforts to check political thuggery in the state.
“We commend you for your efforts so far in arresting political thugs. This, we believe, will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.
Niyiring appealed to the commissioner to ensure that sponsors of the thugs were also arrested and prosecuted.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, told Northern City News in an interview that of the 950 arrested, 851 had been charged to court, while 87 were still being investigated.
“The raid on criminal hideouts is an ongoing one; the number of those arrested may change at any time,” he added.