Kano By-Elections: Police Slam the Brakes on Movement for Saturday Polls

By: Abudu Olalekan

Police announce strict movement restrictions for Kano by-elections this Saturday. No vehicles allowed in Municipal and Ungogo LGAs.. These controls take effect only on election day. Authorities say access stops completely for motor vehicles. The move covers both local government zones fully. Restrictions apply solely to those two regions. Officials cite security needs behind the decision. Only foot traffic permitted where wheels are now barred.

Stay inside this Saturday if you thought about driving through Kano Municipal or Unguo. That’s right – skip it entirely. Roads will sit empty, silent, almost forgotten.

No jokes here – Kano State police mean business now. Movement banned entirely, without exception. Happening during the assembly by-election set for February 21, 2026. Serious times ahead.

Not while sipping tea was this choice shaped. A proper talk had already happened. Thursday saw those in charge come together. Meeting called by the ICCES, that group focused on election safety. A chair leads this team – Zango Abdu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for INEC in Kano. Held on February 19, 2026, their gathering focused on current safety concerns. Instead of rushing ahead, they reviewed the planned timeline closely. Because calm matters most right now, staying where people are makes the most sense.

Thursday brought a note from the police, now confirmed. Signed by CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa – he speaks for the force. That day, February 19, 2026, marked when ICCES gathered, then finalized plans for safety measures

Kano Municipal along with Ungogo – both sit at the center of attention when voting happens on Saturdays. Polling activity spikes here more than elsewhere, drawing consistent scrutiny.

No Cars No Keke No Bikes

Fine. Here’s what touches your routine. Rules are narrow now.

When Friday slips into Saturday past midnight, nothing rolls till six at night. It stopped hard. No cars, three-wheelers, or bikes moving – just said straight out

Midnight brings silence to the roads – no Keke Napep zipping through lanes. By then, Okadas have vanished too. Personal vehicles stay off completely. Walking becomes the only way anyone moves around. From twelve under Friday’s shadow until six past noon Saturday, February 21, 2026, wheels are gone. This day holds elections – and traffic stays locked away.

Trouble tends to follow motion when votes are counted. Goons travel between polling stations, causing chaos. Boxes meant for ballots mysteriously disappear. Officers aim to shut down these tricks fast.

Still, a few cases slip through. Life throws curveballs. When someone’s last breath nears or flames swallow a home, barriers fade. Authorities mention rare allowances for machines serving urgent needs. Think of rescue vans. Water-spitting rigs rolling fast.

Even those carrying out tasks are allowed through. Election staff vehicles keep going. Observers with accreditation travel freely. Without the badge or siren sound, stay put in your vehicle.

Rules at Polling Places

A fresh start is what Ibrahim Adamu Bakori aims for. As Co-Chair of ICCES and Commissioner of Police, he spoke directly to locals. Measures already set up cover every expected risk. Working alongside other forces helps stretch reach. Peace on voting day sits at the center of their aim. Fairness and trust in results matter just as much.

For it to work, each voting location follows tight guidelines.

Turn up only when ready to vote. The directive was clear: access limited to qualified voters alone. Participation defines presence here.

Look, just because you show up doesn’t mean you get to act like an agent without registration. Being listed by INEC is what counts, nothing else. Show up unregistered? Security won’t let you stay. Names missing from the roll will be turned away fast.

Carrying anything meant to hurt someone? Not allowed. Police made that clear right away. They said bringing weapons changes nothing – just makes things worse. Knives stay home. Sticks too. All of it stays behind.

On election day, clothes matter more than usual. Think twice before putting on that outfit. Not every garment fits the moment. Police are checking what voters bring through their doors. Items showing party symbols get turned away without warning. A hat with a politician’s image? Better stay behind. Same goes for shirts carrying slogans or names. Identity tied to politics has no place inside voting areas. Leave those pieces where they belong – offsite.

Stay clear after voting. Head straight back once done. Lingering tends to spark disagreements, those quickly turn into shouting. Shouting? That pulls in officers who’d rather avoid the mess.

Local Security Teams on Hold

Out of nowhere, things feel different. This time, the town’s self-appointed watchers stay silent.

It was made clear right away. Polling units won’t allow any presence of state security bodies. Not even groups like the Vigilantes. Or those from the Neighbourhood Watch. The Hisbah police? Kept far off too. Same goes for anyone tied to KAROTA. Ballot boxes stay out of their reach completely.

It probably stops unfairness from creeping in. Local teams can dive deep into hometown power plays now and then. Staying national helps officers act by the book.

A sense of calm came through when the team explained their stance. What mattered most was showing up without bias, staying fair-minded while doing the job right. Their presence meant guarding order, not creating fear among locals.

A Call for Cooperation

Help is what officers want. Cooperation, not muscle. People living in Kano Municipal and Ungogo must follow along. Those just passing through ought to do the same.

When people follow the rules, elections go without trouble. Smooth sailing, folks in Nigeria might call it.

A quiet hope floated out for Kano’s voters – may the by-election stay calm, may it move forward without snag. Yet shadows sometimes creep in, so voices must rise when something feels off. When trouble shows its face, call it in fast. If odd behavior stirs, names aren’t needed – just facts sent through proper channels. Stepping into danger wins nothing; better to pass the word than chase glory.

This Saturday? Just wake up. Head out on foot to your polling place – only if you’ve got that card. Cast your vote there. Then make your way back home by walking again. Stay off roads with vehicles. Don’t argue with anyone along the way. Results will come later. That’s how it goes.

One day only. By six o’clock, street sounds creep back like nothing changed. For now, streets belong to those who vote, not engines. Stay clear of harm.