New details have emerged about the sealing of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II’s palace entrance by security operatives on Friday.
The action was reportedly taken to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order in Bichi town, where the Emir was scheduled to appoint a district head.
Although the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official statement, sources suggest the decision was based on intelligence indicating plans by Bichi residents to disrupt the ceremony.
A source speaking anonymously to the Nigerian Tribune revealed, “Residents of Bichi town were allegedly planning to obstruct the installation. Security operatives acted swiftly to maintain peace and order.”
The move also reportedly deterred dignitaries from attending the event in Bichi.
The installation of a district head in Bichi has been controversial, with locals perceiving it as a downgrade of their town’s status.
While other towns affected by the dissolution of the five Emirate Councils created under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje were granted second-class emirs, Bichi was instead assigned a district head, sparking discontent.
Stakeholders have described the police’s intervention as necessary to prevent the situation from escalating into a major crisis.
By Friday morning, heavily armed police officers had sealed the Kofar Kudu entrance to the Emir’s palace, restricting movement.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Kano’s traditional leadership. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s dissolution of the five Emirate Councils, the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi II, and subsequent restructuring of traditional hierarchies have deepened divisions within the Emirate.
