BREAKING: Police Withdraw Invitation to Emir of Kano, Sanusi

• The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued fresh direction to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi
• IGP Egbetokun ordered the withdrawal of the invitation extended to Emir Sanusi over the unfortunate incident in the ancient city
• The Police boss directed the operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) to proceed to Kano to obtain Emir Sanusi's statement

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

Kano state - The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.

Emir Sanusi was invited by the police over the unfortunate incident that occurred in Kano State during the Sallah celebration on March 30, 2025.

The invitation was for Emir Sanusi to provide his account of the events that led to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) public relations officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made this known in a statement issued via the police X handle @PoliceNG on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Adejobi said the decision was taken following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police's commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted.

According to the statement, IGP Egbetokun directed that the invitation be withdrawn.

The Police boss re-ordered the operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) to proceed to Kano to obtain Alhaji Sanusi's statement.

"To forestall possible violence, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, 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, mni, 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.

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"Despite this agreement, Alhaji 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."

Kano residents speak amid Police's ban on Sallah Durbar

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Kano state police command, in a surprising move, announced a total ban on all Durbar activities during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, citing intelligence reports of potential security threats.

The Durbar, a colorful horse-riding festival, has long been a key part of Kano’s Sallah celebrations, but since the emirate crisis of 2024, the event has become politically charged.

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Though residents were advised to observe Eid prayers at designated prayer grounds and avoid actions such as horse riding (Kilisa) and car-racing, among others, the ban has sparked varied reactions among Kano residents.

Source: Legit.ng