The Kaduna State Police Command says it has never attempted to stop any lawful political gathering or peaceful assembly, saying it acknowledges and respects the constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
DAILY POST recalls that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state had alleged 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.
The Command’s spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement on Thursday, said the police were not attempting to prevent political expression or association, but were responding to a security situation at Murtala Square.
Hassan said, “The attention of the Kaduna State Police Command has been drawn to a statement issued by the Kaduna ADC candidate and currently circulating on social media.
“In the statement, he said inter alia: , “Tear gas does not cancel the Constitution! Thugs do not repeal Section 39 and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee every citizen the right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly and association. A High Court in this same Kaduna has already declared attempts by the police to suspend political gatherings unconstitutional and an abuse of power. That judgment stands; our rights stand.’”
Hassan explained that while the Kaduna State Police Command acknowledges and respects the constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, it is pertinent to set the record straight on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the statement, the Command has never attempted to stop any lawful political gathering or peaceful assembly, adding that the incident in question arose from a security situation at Murtala Square and not from any attempt by the police to prevent political expression or association.
“On 9th September 2026, the police received a distress call from security personnel attached to Murtala Square that a group of unknown persons was attempting to forcefully gain entry into the premises.
“Upon receipt of the report, police personnel were immediately deployed to the location to prevent any breach of security and to maintain public order,” the statement explained.
It stated that upon arrival, a large number of persons were observed carrying banners bearing the acronym ADC. The police advised them that anyone intending to hold an event or gain access to Murtala Square was required to follow due process and obtain the necessary authorisation through the management.
Hassan said, “Following the intervention, the police personnel withdrew from the area after the situation appeared to have been brought under control.”
He explained that the group subsequently proceeded along WAFF Road towards the NEPA Roundabout by Ahmadu Bello Way, describing it as one of the major and busiest commercial routes in the Kaduna metropolis.
According to him, the group blocked the roadway, resulting in severe traffic congestion and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
He added that the obstruction caused frustration among the group, cyclists and motorists, leading to agitation, confrontation and a breakdown of public order.
He said that, in order to restore normalcy and prevent the situation from escalating further, police personnel intervened and used minimal and proportionate force, including tear gas, to disperse the crowd.
The statement said, “The Kaduna State Police Command wishes to reiterate that it respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression. However, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the ambit of the law, without obstructing major public roads, threatening public safety or infringing on the rights of other citizens.”
The Command therefore urged members of the public to disregard misleading narratives surrounding the incident and rely on verified information from the Police Command.
