Kano ‘Tinubu Must Go’ Protest: Police Explain Blockade of Meeting Venue

Share on Messenger popup#open” data-popup-size-param=”645×580″ target=”_blank”> Share on Messenger popup#open” data-popup-size-param=”550×400″ target=”_blank”> Share on X Share on Whatsapp Members of the ‘Tinubu Must Go’ movement protested in Kano on Sunday after alleging that police officers blocked access to their planned meeting venue, prompting a dispute over the group’s right to peaceful assembly.

The movement’s convener, Abba Hikima, said more than 10 mobile police vehicles were stationed at the venue, preventing members from accessing the private facility they had paid to use.

The group later marched through the streets, chanting “Tinubu Must Go” and waving branded flags.

In a live video posted on his verified Facebook page, Hikima accused the police of violating their civic rights, insisting that the law did not require them to obtain permission before holding their gathering.

“They have been stationed here in order to prevent us from accessing the private venue which we paid for; we are to gather here to exercise our civic rights,” he said.

Hikima also criticised Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu and Kano State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, accusing them of allowing political considerations to interfere with their duties.

However, Bakori said the police did not intend to prevent the group from meeting but wanted to ensure the safety of participants and other residents.

In an interview with DCL Hausa, the commissioner acknowledged the group’s right to assemble but said notifying the police would help the command plan security arrangements for the event, which was expected to attract about 700 people.

“It is their right to come and organise their gathering. Nobody will stop them, and the law does not require them to inform us,” Bakori said. “However, notifying us is important because it allows us to regulate the event and ensure there is no tension.”

He said he contacted Hikima after seeing reports of the planned gathering on social media and asked him to meet with the command to discuss security arrangements.

According to Bakori, he also asked the organisers to postpone the meeting pending further discussions but did not receive a response to subsequent calls.

The commissioner cited a recent incident in Kano’s Sabon Gari area, where he said police seized weapons and arrested some people who claimed to have travelled to the state for political activities.

He said investigations into that incident were ongoing.

Bakori denied any political motive behind the police action, saying the command’s priority was to protect the organisers, their supporters and residents.

“We do not prevent people from organising events,” he said, adding that the police had provided security for the group’s activities on previous occasions.

Hikima, meanwhile, maintained that the blockade infringed on the movement’s rights and warned that its members would continue to protest and demonstrate.

The dispute has renewed attention on the balance between citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and the responsibility of security agencies to maintain public order.