The Kano Police Command has sparked controversy by summoning Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II for questioning over a violent incident during Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. The incident led to the death of a local vigilante member, Surajo Rabiu, and injuries to others.
In a letter dated April 4, 2025, Commissioner of Police Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in Abuja, invited the Emir to appear for an investigative meeting at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja. The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The police invitation has been met with criticism, with some accusing the authorities of plotting to destabilize Kano State. Yahya Nda Musa, National Coordinator of the Assembly for Preservation of Traditional Institutions in Nigeria, described the move as “suspicious,” “provocative,” and part of a wider plot to justify a possible state of emergency in Kano.
“This is a national disgrace, revealing how far we’ve sunk in allowing personal vendettas to hijack state institutions,” said Sani Magaji Garko, an Igbo Nigerian, in an analysis of the police invitation. “What is happening to Emir Sanusi is not just an attack on him, but an attack on intellect, courage, and the idea that a traditional ruler can also be a voice of conscience.”
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed that Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the Emir of Kano, following a court ruling that reinstated him on May 23, 2024. The government has directed the State Commissioner of Police to remove Aminu Ado Bayero, the deposed 15th Emir of Kano, from Nassarawa.
The situation remains fluid, with investigations ongoing. The police invitation has sparked concerns about the potential consequences for national stability, particularly in the North.