The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has issued a strong warning to traditional title holders under his authority, declaring that any leader found guilty of beating his wife will be stripped of his title.
The Emir made the statement on Monday at his palace in Kano during a visit from members of the Development Research and Project Center (dRPC) and the Center for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID), a group under Bayero University, Kano. The visit was part of a Ford Foundation-supported project aimed at encouraging Muslim religious leaders to speak out against gender-based violence in northern Nigeria.
Sanusi, known for his outspoken stance on social justice and women’s rights, condemned the growing cases of domestic violence, especially those disguised as religious correction.
“I never believe in beating women, and those who do, are not doing it to reform them,” he said. “What we see today is even serious beating and injuring of women in the name of reform.”
He stressed that Islam does not support violence in any form and called on all traditional rulers to uphold the dignity and rights of women.
Emir Sanusi warned that any traditional titleholder involved in such abuse would have their title withdrawn, as it contradicts both Islamic values and human decency.
His comments come as community and religious leaders across the region are being urged to play a bigger role in stopping gender-based violence and correcting harmful cultural practices.
