On account of the status of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has backed down on an invitation to him to come to Abuja to explain his role in an incident on Eid-el-Fitr day on March 30 that led to the death of a vigilante member and injury to others.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, April 6, said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed that Sanusi’s invitation to Abuja be withdrawn.
According to him, the invitation was issued to enable Sanusi to provide his account of the events that led to the breakdown of law and order in Kano State.
His adds: “However, following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicised or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn.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.”
Sanusi was summoned to appear at the Force Intelligence Department headquarters in Abuja at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8.
An incident involving members of Sanusi’s entourage was said to have led to the death of a vigilante member, while others were injured during the Sallah celebration in Kano.
Adejobi disclosed that prior to the Sallah Day celebration, credible intelligence at the disposal of the police indicated that the two disputed Emirs in Kano State, Sanusi and Ado Bayero, were planning to hold separate Durbar Festivals.
The Durbar Festival is a long-held tradition which involves a recognised Emir riding on horses around the city in the company of his people.
“To forestall possible violence, the IGP 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 would 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. This triggered a confrontation by youths in the community, leading to the tragic death of one Usman Sagiru, and leaving several others injured. A situation which the Force had earlier warned against and intended to avert by the emissaries sent earlier to both Alhaji Sanusi and Alhaji Ado Bayero.”
But Adejobi states that all individuals found culpable will in the end be brought to justice.
He said, “To this effect, some arrests have been made, prompting an invitation to Alhaji Sanusi.
“The Force also wishes to reiterate that its actions are guided solely by the principles of justice, neutrality, and professionalism.”
