Police dismiss alleged planned attack on places of worship, markets in Kano

KANO State Police Command has dismissed alleged plot by hoodlums to attack strategic places, including Churches, Mosque and major markets in Kano ahead of the presidential elections.

A group of international observers, Pan African Women Projects had raised the alarm of the impending deadly attacks, which it said was to obstruct peaceful conduct of the elections in the state.

Publicity Secretary of the projects, Mphantle Keitseng revealed the development at a press conference on Tuesday night in Kano. He also accused the Federal Government of late release of funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to execute some of her activities, thereby hindering its smooth activities.

While declining to unmask those orchestrating the attempt to create the crisis, Mphantle insisted that the classified information available to the organisation showed that a political party was behind the plot. He said the plot was targeted at obstructing the general peaceful atmosphere in the state with the view to instilling fear and tension. She called on security agencies to beef up security within and around places of worship, as well as strategic spots in the Kano.

She explained that following consultation with various stakeholders regarding the recent postponement of election; we have observed that Nigerian government did not release the needed funds to INEC on time to carry out her electoral activities.

“As we speak, INEC is yet to give many of the international observers accreditation which may prevent them from doing their civic duties,” she said.

Reacting to the development, Police Public Relations Office in Kano, Abdullahi Haruna said the police was not aware of any plan to disrupt elections in Kano.

Abdullahi maintained that rather, the police along side other sisters security agencies have mapped out necessary security strategies on hot spots and flash areas to ensure a violence-free elections in the state.