Hussaini Kafi in Kano
A coalition of civil society organizations in Kano has pulled out of the planned protest by the Take-It-Back Movement, citing rising security concerns and fear of political hijack.
Comrade Umar Ibrahim Umar, Executive Director of War Against Injustice, disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) invited him for questioning on Wednesday, prompting the coalition to reconsider its participation.
“Kano has been grappling with political thuggery and clashes. Therefore, I cannot take part in it,” he said.
Instead, the coalition will host public lectures beginning Thursday at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training (Mambayya House), in collaboration with Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Meanwhile, the Kano State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has deployed personnel to strategic locations across the city to prevent violence.
NSCDC spokesman Ibrahim Abdullahi told The PUNCH that the measure was necessary to protect critical infrastructure and maintain order, warning that any troublemakers would be arrested and prosecuted.
Efforts to reach police spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.
