The Kaduna State Police Command has denied attempting to stop any lawful political gathering in the state, insisting that its intervention during an incident at Murtala Square was prompted by security concerns and a disruption of public order.
The Command said it recognises and respects citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
The clarification followed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that some of its members were attacked on Wednesday during a rally organised by the Arise & Shine Isa Ashiru Support Group to commemorate the flag-off of the governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command’s spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the police intervention was not aimed at preventing political expression or association.
Hassan said the police received a distress call from security personnel attached to Murtala Square on September 9, 2026, reporting that a group of unidentified persons was allegedly attempting to forcefully gain entry into the premises.
He said police officers were immediately deployed to the location to prevent a security breach and maintain public order.
According to him, the officers found a large group of people carrying banners bearing the ADC acronym and advised them that anyone seeking access to Murtala Square for an event was required to follow due process and obtain the necessary authorisation from the facility’s management.
Hassan said the police subsequently withdrew after the situation appeared to have been brought under control.
However, he explained that the group later moved along WAFF Road towards the NEPA Roundabout by Ahmadu Bello Way, one of the major commercial routes in Kaduna metropolis.
He alleged that the protesters blocked the road, causing severe traffic congestion and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
The police spokesman said the resulting frustration among members of the group, cyclists and motorists led to agitation, confrontation and a breakdown of public order.
Hassan said officers intervened to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation, using what he described as minimal and proportionate force, including tear gas, to disperse the crowd.
The Command maintained that while citizens have the right to peaceful assembly and expression, such rights must be exercised within the law and without obstructing major public roads, threatening public safety or infringing on the rights of other citizens.
The police urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading narratives about the incident and rely on verified information from the Kaduna State Police Command.
Comments