TELL Magazine

Security operatives took over the streets of Kaduna on Friday night few hours to today’s presidential and National Assembly polls.

Detachments of combined military personnel, the police and other security agents were seen patrolling the streets, while members of the quick intervention team occupied strategic places across the city.

Although the state police command asked law-abiding residents not to panic as their rights to vote and be voted for would be guaranteed, many residents are still worried. Zubairu Abubakar, Superintendent of Police, CP and public relations officer, PRO of the command assued residents while speaking with the magazine this morning that law abiding residents in the state had nothing to fear.

“We have briefed our men. We have sensitized them and have cautioned them to protect lives and properties of both electorate and electoral officials. We have also asked them to ensure that lives and property of the people are well guided and human rights are protected. So innocent civilians should not be afraid,” he assured.

Residents on the other hand are calling the attention of the securitymen to identified flash points in the city such as Rigasha, Angwan Sanusi, Tudun Wada, Ayidan Mani, Goni Gora, Television Garage and Malari.

Meanwhile, the All Progressive Congress, APC in the state has raised alarm over planned by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to use security agents to hold down APC stalwarts in the state till elections are over.

Samuel Aruwan, APC spokesman in the state, said those on the target list are Nasir El-Rufai, APC gubernatorial candidate; Suleiman Hunkuyi, APC senatorial candidate for Kaduna North and chairman of the APC Kaduna state campaign council, and Lawal Yakawada, former secretary to the state government during Patrick Yakowa government, now a senior member of the APC campaign council in the state.

Aruwan said the police invited the named politicians yesterday and followed it up with written invitation and telephone calls. But for now, none of the identified APC stalwarts is under arrest.