Police defend blockade of Tinubu Must Go meeting venue in Kano

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has defended the police blockade of a venue booked for a meeting of the Tinubu Must Go (TMG) movement, saying the action was aimed at protecting the organisers and residents of the state.

Members of the movement protested against the police action on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

In a live video shared on his verified Facebook page, one of the movement’s conveners, Abba Hikima, alleged “You can see already that over 10 vehicles of mobile police have been stationed.”

He accused the police of violating their civic rights, arguing that the law did not require them to obtain permission before holding the meeting.

“We are to gather here to exercise our civic rights. This is even the more reason why Tinubu must go,” he said.

Hikima also maintained that a Court of Appeal decision supported their right to hold rallies without notifying security agencies.

“The Court of Appeal decision stands. I do not need to inform any security agent to hold my rallies. Next time, we are going to protest; Next time we are going to demonstrate; next time we are going to hit the ground,” he added.

He accused the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and Bakori of allowing political interests to influence their official duties.

However, Bakori told DCL Hausa that although the organisers had the right to hold their meeting, notifying the police would have helped the command provide adequate security.

“What happened is that, in the first place, it is their right to come and organise their gathering. Nobody will stop them, and the law does not require them to inform us. However, notifying us is important because it allows us to regulate the event and ensure there is no tension, that nobody attacks them and that they do not engage in any activity in Kano that can constitute an offence,” he said.

The commissioner said he learnt about the planned gathering through social media the previous night and contacted Hikima to find out more about it.

According to him, Hikima explained that the group intended to hold a meeting, but Bakori asked him to notify the police so that security arrangements could be made.

Bakori said he asked Hikima to postpone the meeting and meet with him to discuss the arrangements, but the organiser said he would consult other members before responding.

The commissioner added that he made several attempts to contact Hikima afterwards but received no response.

He said the police needed information about the expected attendees and their accommodation to assess potential security risks and prevent tension among residents.

Bakori also cited an incident in Sabon Gari about two weeks earlier, when, he said, the police seized weapons and arrested some people who claimed they had come to Kano for political activities.

“We were concerned about another gathering that was expected to attract about 700 people. We did not know who they were or where they would stay. We need to protect them and the residents of the state. That is what happened,” he said.

He added, “Even though you have the right to do something, your right ends where another person’s right begins.”

The commissioner said the police were unaware of the specific nature of the gathering and only wanted the organisers to meet with them so they could understand the event and provide protection.

Bakori also rejected allegations that the police were acting on behalf of any political party, insisting that the command’s priority was maintaining peace and security.

He maintained that the police had provided security for the movement’s previous activities and advised the organisers to notify the command ahead of the planned meeting.

Police defend blockade of Tinubu Must Go meeting venue in Kano