Emirship Tussle: Police Reacts As Supporters Of Sanusi And Bayero Clash In Kano

Tensions surrounding the emirship dispute in Kano took a violent turn as supporters of Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero clashed near the Kofar Kudu palace.

The incident reportedly happened while Bayero was returning from a condolence visit to the family of the late Aminu Dantata.

His convoy passed by the Kofar Kudu palace, which is occupied by Sanusi, sparking confrontation between both camps.

Each side has blamed the other for triggering the violence.

A statement released by Sadam Yakasai, who spoke on behalf of the Kano Emirate Media Team, said Bayero’s supporters allegedly forced their way into the palace, damaged the gate, beat up some of the guards, and vandalized police vehicles stationed there.

Yakasai claimed the move was intentional and accused Bayero of trying to provoke Sanusi’s camp.

He said this wasn’t the first time Bayero had taken a route past the palace, describing his actions as aggressive and aimed at intimidating the area’s residents.

Yakasai: “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.

“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.”

Muktar Dahiru, who was with Bayero during the incident, denied the allegations, saying that the clash was actually between Bayero’s supporters and some unidentified individuals blocking the road.

Dahiru explained that as the convoy approached the palace, some armed men tried to stop them, leading to a confrontation.

He said: “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.

“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.”

Dahiru added that police later arrived and used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, who confirmed the clash, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has launched an investigation to determine what led to the confrontation.

KanyiDaily recalls that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II was reinstated as the Emir of Kano in 2024, after his dethronement by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.