Dogs and other pets have been banned from voting centres in Nigeria ahead of governorship elections on Saturday.

Some voters had said they would take their dogs along with them this weekend after experiencing violence two weeks ago at the presidential election.

But Nigeria’s police said this won’t be permitted, because “dogs could be classed as offensive weapons as their owners/handlers can use them to intimidate, harass and cause assault and bodily harm to others”.

This warning came on the heels of speculations that some persons are planning to hit polling units with their dogs and other pets as part of efforts to wade off thugs and other electoral offenders.