DSS detains two political thugs in Kano who were threatening violence

The Department of State Services has detained two political thugs of a growing political party in Kano for making threats of violence just 48 hours before the Nigerian governorship election.

The DSS named the suspects it had taken into custody as Sharu Abubakar Tabula and Isma’il Iliyasu Mangu in a statement signed by Dr. Peter Afunanya, its public relations officer.

The two men made video messages and uploaded them on the internet with a stern threat to deal harshly with anyone in Kano who votes for a different candidate and/or party on Saturday.

However, DSS agents pursued them and eventually apprehended them. The service then released photographs of the two men, aged 52 and 37, and issued a warning that anyone posing a threat to public tranquility during the election would face consequences.

The DSS said: “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby informs the public that it has arrested the duo of Sharu Abubakar Tabula and Isma’il Iliyasu Mangu for deliberately inciting violence in parts of Kano State.

“In those potentially harmful messages, the two men specifically championed certain political interests and directly called on their supporters to violently attack those opposed to them, including security personnel during the 18th March, 2023 Governorship and House of Assembly election in the State.

“As a result of this development, a particular political party in Kano has threatened to organise protest march in the metropolis as well as storm offices of some of the security agencies on 16th March, 2023 in solidarity for the suspects.

“While the Service alerts the public of this planned illegal action, it calls on the concerned party to shelve it forthwith or be ready to face the consequences.

“The DSS assures that it will not idly watch misguided persons or groups undermine the peace and security of the state.

“The leadership of the said party should rein in its members and urge them to desist from conducts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Kano and its environs before, during and after the scheduled election.

“Meanwhile, the Service is collaborating with sister security agencies to ensure that adequate security is provided for a successful electoral exercise”.

You may recall that in addition to the two suspects in the political violence in Kano, the Service recently detained subversive individuals who had threatened to commit acts of violence in other regions of Nigeria.

But, it’s unclear whether they’ve been released or charged.

You may also recall that on March 8, 2023, the DSS urged lawmakers to avoid violence, false information, and hate speech before, during, and after the 2023 elections.