Kano emirship tussle: Police say law will be ‘strictly enforced’, warn against violence

Usaini Gumel, commissioner of police in Kano, has asked miscreants and “enemies of the state” to steer clear of the city. 

He also warned that the command “has the capacity to deal with miscreants” looking to foment chaos in Kano.

There has been tension in Kano since the state house of assembly commenced moves to repeal the Emirate Council Law 2019.

The repealed legislation was passed by the house on May 23 and assented to by Abba Yusuf, governor of the state.

The 2024 law unified the decentralised emirates and returned Muhammadu Sanusi as Emir.

A COURT INJUNCTION AND PROTESTS IN THE CITY

On the night of May 23, a federal high court in Kano ordered the state government not to enforce the Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024.

“That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application,” Mohammed Liman, the judge, ordered.

Protests have erupted in parts of Kano since Aminu Bayero, the dethroned Emir, made a return to the state on Saturday.

Addressing journalists during a briefing on Monday, Gumel said the police will enforce the laws.

“Today, we are here to address you on one very key issue that has to do with the security situation in Kano, which the security agencies as well as you have been managing since the issue around the chieftaincy affairs arose,” Gumel said.

“We have uncovered credible information about some group of people who are considered as enemies of the state… miscreants who are trying to unleash terror in the state by embarking on targeted attacks at locations, particularly the house of assembly, as well as some prominent locations within the state capital.

“This intelligence report has been verified by so many sources.

“Anybody who wants to test the ground, the security agencies have the capacity to deal ruthlessly with those enemies of the state — the miscreants.

“We have perfected plans to embark on serious patrols and detection on locations where we were informed that these enemies of the state are hiding.

“We are going to embark on house-to-house search; anybody who feels he is stronger than the law should try it. Kano will remain safe and nobody can override the decision.

“The issue of chieftaincy affairs has been perfected by the executive arm of government. We are standing by the law and we are strictly going to enforce the existing law.”

Bayero has moved into another palace in Nassarawa LGA since his return. On Saturday, the deposed monarch held a meeting with heads of security agencies in the state.