The Kano State government late Friday dismissed reports of a planned terrorist attack in the state, saying it was not aware of it.
This followed a public alert issued by the police in the state on Friday banning public gatherings and alerting the public on an alleged attack. The state commissioner for information and internal affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, at a press conference at the emir’s palace late Friday explained that the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order was having a national gathering in Kano for the 39th of such annual gatherings slated for the Kofar Mata Stadium but the venue was taken over by security agents.
The police command urged residents to be cautious and avoid crowded places until further notice as a preventive measure to enable security operatives identify and dislodge possible terrorist attackers.
Spokesman of the command, Abdullahi Kiyawa, had in a statement said the police in liaison with other security agencies had received intelligence reports of terrorists planning to launch attacks on public gatherings in strategic locations within the state.
He noted that the command was however on high alert and had put in place all necessary security arrangements with a team of experts from the command’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear units deployed to strategic locations around the state.
But the commissioner for information dismissed the blockade as uncalled for and a violation of the rights of the religious organisation just when members were coming from all over the country to be hosted by the state government.
He urged the federal government to withdraw the security agents and allow peace to reign as the event would hold as scheduled.
“We urge the federal government to immediately withdraw security agencies from the venue and allow the event to proceed without hindrance. Kofar Mata Stadium is a property of the Kano State government, and there is no justification for any external force to obstruct a legitimate religious gathering.
“Kano State has always been a beacon of peace and religious tolerance, and we will not accept any form of intimidation or undue interference in our internal affairs. We remain resolute in ensuring that the rights of our people to religious freedom and peaceful assembly are respected,” he stated.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
This story was erroneously omitted in yesterday’s publication.
The mix up is regretted.
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