Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has banned all forms of public demonstrations in the state.
The governor also imposed stringent restrictions on all public gatherings intended to protest within the state.
Yusuf, in a statement by his Media and Publicity Director Sanusi Bature on Wednesday, said he was exercising the authority vested in him as the chief security officer of the State.
“By virtue of his position, the Governor has directed the police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps to apprehend, detain, and prosecute any individual or group partaking in demonstrations on the streets of Kano,” the statement said.
According to Bature, the Governor’s decision is a proactive measure aimed at averting any potential breakdown of law and order orchestrated by adversaries of the state.
“We are privy to credible intelligence indicating that certain prominent figures from the opposition party in Kano have devised plans to sponsor student associations and political agitators from other northwestern states to incite chaos under the guise of advocating for the dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.
“The State Government has explicitly outlawed protests, demonstrations, or processions of any kind, and individuals found on the streets of Kano engaging in such activities will be promptly apprehended.
“Through this declaration, we caution student groups against being manipulated by troublemakers who are resolute in fomenting disorder in Kano,” the statement added.
Yusuf urged all citizens of the state to carry on with their normal activities as the state retains its tranquility.
He added that the State Government will persist in vigilant oversight of the situation involving the emirate tussle to promptly address any individuals or factions trying to undermine the relative peace that state presently enjoys.