The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, has issued a stern warning to individuals spreading hate speech and fake news, declaring that offenders will face prosecution as security agencies intensify efforts to preserve peace ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bakori delivered the warning at the Kano Youth Peace Summit 2.0, an event organised by the Kano State Police Command in partnership with the Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices and the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation. The summit was held under the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, widely known as POCACOV.
The police commissioner expressed concern over the growing circulation of misinformation, disinformation and hate-driven narratives on both social and conventional media platforms. He warned that such content poses a serious threat to Kano’s history of peaceful coexistence, especially as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the next general elections.
According to Bakori, unchecked hate speech and fake news have the capacity to inflame tensions, trigger violence and weaken social cohesion, with long-term consequences for economic growth and community stability. He stressed that security agencies would not hesitate to act against anyone seeking to exploit political differences to destabilise the state.
He made it clear that the police would apply the law without bias, stating that no individual or group would be allowed to undermine public peace through reckless communication. Bakori also called on journalists, social media influencers, community leaders and youths to partner with the police in promoting unity, accurate reporting and responsible use of digital platforms, noting that security is a shared responsibility.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Kano State Police Command, Bakori said intelligence-led policing, proactive engagement and stronger community partnerships would remain central to efforts aimed at preventing violence and maintaining law and order throughout the pre-election period.
Also speaking at the summit, Chairman of the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation, Aminu Magashi, described the engagement as timely, observing that periods leading to elections are often marked by rising tensions, misinformation and divisive rhetoric. He said the foundation, working with YOSPIS and the police, would deepen public engagement over the next 12 months to counter fake news and hate speech through advocacy and targeted capacity building.
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Magashi revealed plans to organise training sessions for political party spokespersons, youth peer educators and media practitioners. He emphasised the importance of factual reporting and responsible political communication, while discouraging narratives capable of inciting hostility or fear. He also pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at improving information sharing and collaboration with security agencies.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Community Policing, Ambassador Maimuna Umar, said sustainable security can only be achieved through strong cooperation among security agencies, communities, youths and women. She commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for backing community policing initiatives and urged young people to exercise restraint and responsibility in their use of social media.
Similarly, the Executive Director of YOSPIS, Zainab Nasir Ahmed, identified fake news and hate speech as growing threats to public order and democratic stability. She appealed to youths and media professionals to uphold ethical standards, verify information before sharing and reject language that promotes division, hatred or violence as the 2027 elections draw closer.
