The Nigerian Army has clarified its mission in Kano, where there is tension as a result of emirship tussle between Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II (Emir of Kano), and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero (dethroned Emir of Kano).
Following the dethronement of Alhaji Ado Bayero, he dismissed the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi, leading Governor Abba Yusuf to direct for the dethroned Emir’s arrest. But the Police, however, vowed to respect court order stopping Sanusi’s reinstatement.
Shortly after the arrest order, men of the Nigerian Army moved to the mini palace to secure the place before the dethroned Emir moved in, giving the impression that the Army was on the side of the dethroned monarch.
Meanwhile, the main palace, where Emir Sanusi is presiding from, is being guarded by local vigilantes and traditional hunters.
Civil society groups, activists, lawyers and many others had condemned the military action, saying such has no place in a democracy.
But in a statement on Sunday night, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, said the Army is not involved in the Emirship tussle.
According to his statement: “Contrary to insinuations by the Kano state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association as published on 26 May 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano state emirate tussle and are not involved in enforcing any court order. They have only taken proactive steps to checkmate any possible breakdown or breach of the security that may be occasioned by the Kano Emirship tussle.”
“The issue of paramount concern to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies is the prevention of breakdown of law and order in the state, which could be taken advantage of by adversarial non-state actors. The military would imminently intervene when it becomes apparent that the intensity of the security situation becomes overwhelming for the police.
“All the Army is doing at this stage is to monitor the situation as it unfolds and be on standby in the event of any escalation that could threaten the security of the state and the region in general.”
The Kano House of Assembly had repealed the law which former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje used to dethrone Sanusi in 2020, paving the way for reinstatement of the monarch.
While signing the new law on Friday, Governor Abba Yusuf had directed the deposed emirs to leave their official residences and hand over properties to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who doubles as Deputy Governor of the state.
However, in what appeared to be a rare moment of surprise, Ado Bayero who was outside the State at the time of the order, returned to the ancient city and made his way to a mini palace in Nassarawa which was already secured by the Army.