By Bukola Kayode
Twenty-four hours after inviting the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday withdrew the invitation extended to him in connection with the violent confrontation during the Sallah celebration on March 30, 2025.
Read also: https://frontlinenews.com.ng/ig-invites-emir-sanusi-over-violent-kano-sallah-incident/
Personnel of the Kano Police Command arrested one Usman Sagiru in connection with the alleged killing of a vigilante member, Surajo Rabiu, in an attack on the entourage of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Another vigilante member, Aminu Suleman, sustained injuries and was rushed to the Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital, Kano, for medical treatment.
According to the Kano police command spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna, the incident occurred while the local guards were protecting the entourage of Emir Sanusi II on their way from the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground after observing the two rakat eid-el-fitr prayers.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi said, the IGP had taken another another approach.
The statement read in part: “However, following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn.
“Instead, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) have been mandated on the instructions of the IGP to proceed to Kano to obtain Alhaji Sanusi’s statement.
“Prior to the Sallah Day celebration, credible intelligence at the disposal of the Police indicated that the two (2) disputed Emirs in Kano State -Alh Ado Bayero and Alh Lamido Sanusi were planning to hold separate Durbar Festivals.
“The Durbar Festival is a long held tradition which involves a recognized Emir riding on horses around the city in company of his people.
“To forestall possible violence, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun deployed the Coordinating DIG for the North West who also serves as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Abubakar Sadiq, to engage in dialogue with the two disputed Emirs in kano and the Kano State Government.
“It was mutually agreed that no Durbar Festival would be held to preserve peace and public safety and none of the disputed emirs will ride on horse on Sallah day.
“Despite this agreement, Alhaji Aminu Sanusi who had attended the Eid Prayers in his car, decided to mount a horse in a procession after Eid Prayers on Sallah Day, accompanied by local vigilantes.
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