Security has been tightened across Kaduna metropolis ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s expected visit on Saturday for the flag-off of the 2027 presidential campaign, with operatives deployed to protect campaign posters and billboards from possible vandalism.

Personnel of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were among those said to have been assigned to guard campaign materials, particularly along major roads leading to the Kaduna Township Stadium, venue of the expected rally.

A security operative involved in the assignment said selected personnel had been directed to protect Tinubu’s posters and billboards from the stadium area to Kawo.

“We were assigned alongside KASTLEA marshals to protect Tinubu’s billboards and posters from being vandalised before the campaign rally. Our duty is mostly at night because that is when the youths can carry out such acts,” he said.

The operative said the assignment followed a circular from the unit directing some personnel to provide security for the campaign materials.

There was, however, no immediate response to an enquiry on what specifically necessitated the deployment.

Security presence has also increased across major roads and roundabouts in Kaduna, with police officers and plain-clothes operatives observed monitoring motorists and other road users.

Police patrol vehicles were stationed around the Kaduna Township Stadium and along Ahmadu Bello Way, including the roundabout near the former NEPA office.

Armed police officers were also seen around the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital roundabout as security preparations intensified ahead of the President’s expected arrival.

Tinubu is expected to be joined by governors from the seven North-West states at the campaign-related event, which is expected to attract APC members, supporters and other political stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna Township Stadium has undergone a facelift ahead of the campaign flag-off scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026.

The approximately 8,000-capacity stadium has been repainted and decorated with APC flags, while roads leading to the venue have been lined with billboards and posters of President Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.

Inside the stadium, conveniences, pavilions and other facilities have been prepared for guests expected at the rally.

The stadium shares a boundary with the Kaduna State Police Command headquarters, while vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Police Force’s special response team were stationed around its entrance.

Access to the venue has also been restricted to the public ahead of the event.

A Kaduna resident, Umar Abdullahi, said the stadium had taken on a new appearance ahead of the rally.

“They have decorated the place with APC flags and billboards of the President and other political aspirants. The whole stadium has a new look,” he said.

He added that security personnel, particularly police officers, had been stationed around the venue.

The stadium is located outside major residential areas, with most buildings around it occupied by government ministries and agencies, a hospital, courts and police barracks.

Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee for the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign flag-off and Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, expressed satisfaction with preparations after inspecting facilities at the stadium alongside members of the committee.

“I’m comfortable with what has been done so far; we have the holding area, the conveniences are ready, the pavilions are ready. What remains is the markings for the different states,” she said.

Balarabe said the committee had held extensive discussions on security arrangements before, during and after the rally, involving experienced security professionals at both state and federal levels.

She said attendees would be screened before being allowed into the stadium and assured participants of their safety.

The Deputy Governor added that organisers expected a large turnout of party members and supporters from across the country, describing the North-West as an APC stronghold.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, also said mobilisation for the rally was ongoing.

According to him, hotels and serviced apartments across Kaduna metropolis had been fully booked ahead of the event.

Maiyaki said the state was privileged to host the presidential campaign flag-off and that residents were preparing to receive President Tinubu.

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