Heads of security agencies in Kano State have said they will only recognize and enforce orders from the Federal High Court with regards to the reinstatement of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusu11 as Emir of Kano.
The State governor, Abba Yusuf, had on Friday issued a letter of reappointment as the 16th Emir of Kano to Sanusi who led Jumat prayers at the Government House.
However, the deposed 15th Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero whose whereabouts had been unknown since Thursday, returned to Kano on Saturday and headed to the second palace at Nasarawa, with Governor Yusuf ordering his immediate arrest for allegedly creating tension in the State.
The order was contained in a statement on Saturday by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sanusi Tofa.
The statement titled ‘Gov. Yusuf Orders Arrest of Deposed Emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero,’ read, “The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has ordered the immediate arrest of the former Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, for creating tension in the state.
“The former Emir was smuggled into Kano city last night in an attempt to forcefully return to the palace two days after being deposed by the governor.”
According to the statement, the new Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, arrived at the palace in the company of the governor, the deputy governor, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, and other top government functionaries at about 1 am on Saturday, May 25 2024.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the state, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest the deposed Emir with immediate effect for disturbing public peace and attempting to destroy the relative peace the state enjoys,” the statement added.
His position however clashed with that of the heads of security agencies in the state who said they would only obey orders of the court.
Kano Police Commissioner, CP Muhammad Usaini Gumel, who spoke for the joint security agencies said, “As far as the situation of the Emirate is concerned, we recognize the Emir who was there as stated by the Court, and we are only respecting Court orders which says status quo should be maintained and that is where we stay and stand”.
He added, “Our joint security resolved to keep peace in Kano, and the development surrounding the Emirates Council; the Police Command respects the court order, alongside other security agencies and we have resolved to ensure that we keep peace in the state.
“We would not be compelled by anybody to carry out any assignment”.
Gumel warned that they would not allow anybody to break peace and unity of the State using what is happening in the Emirate Council.
He said the order of arresting the dethroned Emir Bayero has not been transmitted to the police command as they only read it on social media.
The Police Commissioner added that, “the position of law is very clear that whoever tries to cause problems will be arrested without hesitation.
“Miscreants are advised to stay away from causing havoc in the State, as the safety of the people remains sacrosanct.”
