ABUJA, Nigeria — New details have emerged regarding the sealing of the entrance gate to the palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, on Friday. Although the Nigeria Police have yet to officially comment on the matter, a reliable source disclosed that the action was taken to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order in Bichi town, where Emir Sanusi was scheduled to install a district head.
An anonymous source revealed that residents of Bichi town had allegedly planned to obstruct the installation ceremony. Security operatives, sensing the unfavorable situation, acted swiftly to prevent the Emir of Kano from attending the event. The move was also believed to be aimed at deterring eminent personalities from visiting Bichi town for the same occasion.
Reports from indicated that many residents of Bichi town were unhappy with the planned installation, questioning the rationale behind appointing a district head. Some residents expressed concerns that the installation was intended to demote the town. They pointed out that when the five Emirate councils established by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje were dissolved by current Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, he appointed second-class emirs for three of the dissolved councils but excluded Bichi town.
Residents argued that their resistance to the installation stemmed from the governor’s decision to demote their kingdom to be ruled by a district head, while other towns in similar situations were now governed by second-class emirs. Some stakeholders suggested that the police action might have been a blessing in disguise, as it could have prevented a serious crisis in Bichi town that might have escalated to other communities and the state capital.
It was reported that as of 7 a.m. on Friday, heavily armed policemen had taken control of the entrance to Emir Sanusi’s Kofar Kudu palace.
