Police arrest 288 suspected thugs in Kano by-elections

The Kano State Police Command says it has arrested 288 suspected thugs during the ongoing by-elections in the state.

Police spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on his Facebook page on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

He said the suspects were apprehended while attempting to disrupt the re-run and by-elections across different locations.

According to him, dangerous weapons including a pump action rifle, locally made guns, knives, and cutlasses were recovered from the suspects.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano, Ambassador Abdu Zango, confirmed that over 100 suspected thugs had initially been arrested.

He noted that security agencies were working to maintain order and warned that more arrests could follow if necessary.

The REC commended the combined efforts of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), stressing that areas disrupted by the thugs were later stabilised to ensure a peaceful election.