Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has reportedly sought the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Bakori, and the transfer of 18 Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, from strategic divisions across the state, in what sources described as an apparent attempt to gain ‘control’ of the command ahead of January 16, 2027 general elections.
The Independent Mirror reports that sources familiar with the development said that the governor has nominated a newly-promoted CP Mohammed Yusuf Adamu to replace Mr Bakori as the state’s police commissioner.
According to sources, the new CP may assume office any moment from now.
The shake-up reportedly followed alleged disagreements between the governor and the commissioner over recent postings and redeployments of senior police officers in the Kano State Police Command.
Sources said Mr Bakori had recently removed some DPOs and replaced them with more senior officers, citing considerations of seniority and good service records.
“There are many chief superintendents of police (CSPs) sitting idle at the command headquarters without postings, while their juniors are heading divisions. So the CP rightly replaced them with senior officers.
“This did not go down well with the governor, who sought a reversal of the postings from the ‘top’,” a source said.
In a development that has raised questions within the police command, the Inspector-General of Police reportedly transferred all the 18 DPOs out of Kano State to various commands, including Yobe, Gombe, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina states.
The force headquarters, in a strange signal dated October 15, 2026, subsequently ordered the reposting of officers Mr Bakori earlier removed to their former positions and make additional postings of DPOs, allegedly in line with the governor’s preferences.
The affected strategic divisions include Fagge, Gwale, Ungogo, Kumbotso, Sharada, Bompai, Bichi, among others.
The development has fueled concerns over political interference in police postings and the control of security structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recall that in the build-up to the 2023 elections, this newspaper had exposed several plans by the then governor Abdullahi Ganduje to influence the posting of “loyal police commissioners” to the state in order to compromise election.
When contacted for comment, the force public relations officer, Anietie Iniedu, did not respond to calls and message from our correspondent.
The governor’s chief press secretary, Mustapha Mohammed, however said he was not aware of the action. “I’m not aware. I don’t have such information, and I can’t comment on it,” he said.
Daily Nigerian
