The Kano State Police Command has assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the 2027 general elections, while warning against the spread of fake news and misleading information capable of triggering violence.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, gave the assurance on Saturday during the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kano State Chapter, held at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.
The meeting focused on the theme, “Managing Election Results: The Role of Information Officers.”
Bakori, in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, stressed that responsible information management was essential to maintaining public confidence and ensuring peaceful elections.
He warned that unverified reports, rumours and misleading election-related information could fuel tension, undermine trust in public institutions and provoke violence, particularly during the collation and announcement of results.
According to him, information officers and public relations practitioners have an important responsibility to verify information before sharing it, especially during politically sensitive periods.
The police commissioner said the command would adopt comprehensive security measures in line with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s vision of a professional, intelligence-driven and people-oriented police force.
He disclosed that the command had commenced engagements with relevant stakeholders and was preparing training and public awareness programmes involving youth groups, political actors and media practitioners.
Bakori added that the police would sustain intelligence-led operations and strengthen cooperation with other security agencies to tackle threats, including political thuggery, hate speech, fake news and other activities capable of disrupting public peace.
He urged information officers to prioritise accuracy over speed, responsibility over sensationalism and the national interest over personal or political considerations when reporting election-related developments.
The commissioner also called on media and communication professionals to uphold ethical standards and ensure that only verified information was disseminated to the public.
Earlier, Professor Sule Yau Sule, in his opening remarks, emphasised the importance of professionalism, ethical communication and national interest in managing election information.
The police command reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to maintain peace and protect residents throughout the electoral process.
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