Tension has gripped Kano State following a formal invitation extended to the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun. The invitation, requesting the Emir to appear at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, has raised concerns and sparked speculations among residents of the state.
The invitation comes amid a recent attack on Emir Sanusi’s entourage during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, fueling fears of a possible political maneuver. The Kano State Police command had arrested one Usman Sagiru in connection with the killing of a vigilante member, Surajo Rabiu, during the attack on the Emir’s entourage. Another vigilante, Aminu Suleman, sustained injuries and was rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialists Hospital in Kano for medical treatment.
The incident occurred as the Emir was returning from the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground, where he had participated in the two rakat Eid prayers. Local guards assigned to protect the Emir’s entourage were reportedly caught in the crossfire during the attack.
The letter from the Force Intelligence Department, dated April 2, 2025, and signed by Commissioner of Police Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, invites Emir Sanusi for an investigative meeting in relation to the Sallah-day incident. The letter stated that the invitation was issued by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) through the directive of the IG.
The letter reads: “I have the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), to invite you for an investigative meeting regarding an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebrations within your domain.”
The invitation, however, has triggered a wave of tension and anxiety among the residents of Kano. Many people in the state view the action as an unwarranted move to harass and intimidate the Emir. Some have even speculated that the federal government is using the police to create a situation that could lead to a state of emergency in the state.
Residents, particularly those from the Dorayi quarters in Kano, have expressed concerns about the invitation. One anonymous resident described the police invitation as an affront to the traditional institution of the Emir, adding that it could serve as a form of harassment. The resident noted that the Kano Emirate had already faced security challenges during the Sallah festivities and that the police failed to provide adequate security, leading to the attack on the Emir’s entourage.
“We view this invitation as an affront to our traditional institution and as a move to harass and intimidate our Emir by the police who failed woefully to provide security to us on Sallah day,” the source said. The resident further appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the federal government not to allow the police to escalate tensions and cause unrest in the state.
Another concerned resident, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, emphasized the risks that could arise from the invitation. According to the resident, the police invitation could create serious instability in the state and potentially lead to a crisis or a state of emergency.
“What happened on Sallah day was never in any way a Durbar but rather a movement of the Emir from his palace to the mosque, which is normal for him to ride a horse, and not to trek anyway,” the resident explained. The source further warned that the police’s actions could breach the peace of Kano, adding that inviting Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II over what they described as “flimsy excuses” would be a violation of his fundamental human rights.
The incident during the Sallah celebrations on March 29, 2025, involving Emir Sanusi’s entourage occurred as the royal convoy made its way from the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground after the traditional Eid prayers. Local vigilantes who were assigned to protect the Emir’s procession were attacked by unknown assailants, leading to the tragic death of one vigilante and injuries to another.
Surajo Rabiu, a member of the local vigilante group, was killed during the attack, while Aminu Suleman sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The police quickly arrested Usman Sagiru, who was allegedly involved in the killing of Rabiu. However, many believe that the attack was politically motivated, given the political significance of the Emir, who is seen as a powerful figure in the state.
Some residents of Kano feel that the invitation for the Emir to come to Abuja is an attempt to draw attention away from the failures of the police in ensuring the safety of the people during the Sallah celebrations. There is also a belief that the federal government may be seeking to undermine the influence of the Emir, whose role has always carried political weight in Kano.
The fact that the federal government has not yet provided a satisfactory explanation for the events surrounding the attack on the Emir’s entourage only fuels suspicion about the police’s motives in inviting the Emir.
The reaction to the invitation has been mixed. While some political figures have stayed silent, others have spoken out, calling for calm and urging the people of Kano to remain peaceful. One such figure is a prominent member of the Kano State House of Assembly, who requested that the police investigate the matter thoroughly without allowing politics to interfere with the investigation.
“The invitation is simply a move to investigate the incident and ensure that justice is served. It is essential that the police investigate the matter without any bias,” said the lawmaker, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity.
However, many residents are not convinced and remain skeptical about the true motives behind the police’s actions. They see the invitation as an unjustified attempt to target the Emir, who remains a powerful symbol of traditional authority in Kano. They also see the invitation as a sign of increasing political interference in the traditional institutions of the state.
