The Kano State Police Command has launched an investigation into a fresh outbreak of violence stemming from the ongoing tussle over the Kano Emirate.
The latest disturbance reportedly involved loyalists of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and supporters of the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.
The clash reportedly broke out when Bayero, returning from a condolence visit to the family of the late business mogul, Aminu Dantata, passed along a route leading to the Kofar Kudu palace—currently occupied by Sanusi.
The confrontation has since sparked a blame game, with both sides accusing each other of instigating the violence.
According to a statement released by Sadam Yakasai on behalf of the Kano Emirate Media Team, Bayero’s loyalists were said to have stormed the palace, damaging property and injuring security personnel.
“His (Bayero’s) hoodlums breached the security of Gidan Rumfa. They broke the gate and attacked the guards, injuring some of them. They smashed police vehicles stationed at the palace,” Yakasai stated.
He further alleged, “The deposed Emir was returning from the condolence visit he paid to the family of late Aminu Dantata. He deliberately passed through Emir’s Palace Road instead of taking the proper route from Koki to Nassarawa, and his hoodlums decided to attack Gidan Rumfa. This is not the first time he has passed through the area. He had done so previously after visiting his Mandawari residence, with the intention of intimidating residents of the area. This is the first time deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero is taking his fight directly to Gidan Rumfa while remaining in his heavily secured domain at Nassarawa Palace, near the Kano State Government House. This recent action is a clear case of aggression and desperation.”
However, countering these allegations, Muktar Dahiru, who was among those in Bayero’s convoy, dismissed the account as false.
He described the fracas as one sparked by unidentified troublemakers positioned near the palace.
“I was on the entourage of the Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, at the time of the incident. We were actually coming from Koki quarters after a condolence visit to the family of Aminu Dantata,” Dahiru explained. “While returning to the Nassarawa Palace through Kofar Kudu, we saw some hoodlums blocking the road in front of the palace. They were armed with dangerous weapons. At that point, the supporters of Emir Bayero confronted them to clear the way. They succeeded, and Emir Bayero made his way through unhurt.”
He added that police officers arrived swiftly and dispersed the assailants using tear gas.
Confirming the incident, the Kano State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna, acknowledged that a confrontation had occurred.
He noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, had constituted a special panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence and bring the culprits to book.