By Jemilu Hassan
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The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has urged his supporters to remain peaceful and calm following a tense standoff between heavily armed police officers and palace officials. The incident occurred on Friday when armed police and DSS officers, accompanied by armored personnel carriers, surrounded the Kano Emir’s Palace at Kofar Kudu in Kano metropolis.
The sudden show of force restricted human and vehicular movements, disrupting a planned ceremony where the Emir was to turban Munir Sanusi as the newly appointed Wamban Kano and District Head of Bichi. Several traditional rulers and titleholders, who had gathered to accompany the Emir to Bichi, were left stranded, with many later abandoning their vehicles and walking to the mosque for Friday congregational prayer.
Security operatives reportedly withdrew after the prayers, but the reasons for the siege remained unclear. Speaking during a sermon at the Juma’at Mosque, Emir Sanusi appealed for restraint, warning against actions that could lead to unrest. He emphasized the importance of patience and peaceful coexistence, stressing that Islam advocates calmness even in challenging situations.
The Emir’s call for calm was echoed by the Kano State government, which condemned the incident as a “calculated attempt to incite unrest in the state.” Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, revealed that inquiries indicated the action was taken “on orders from above.” He dismissed rumors of potential unrest in Bichi if Emir Sanusi had attended the planned ceremony, describing the district as peaceful and highlighting the new District Head’s ties to the community.
The incident has sparked concerns about the potential for unrest in Kano State, and the Emir’s call for calm is seen as a crucial step in preventing further escalation. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the state government and security agencies will respond to the Emir’s appeal for peace.
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