CSO Commends Nigerian Police For Inviting Emir Sanusi, Says Nobody is above the law

The Northern Women Lawyers Congress has commended the Nigeria Police Force over its invitation to Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi over an investigation into an incident that occurred during a sallah durbar he held.

This was contained in a statement by its Chairperson Barrister Nafisa Abba, the lawyer further blast the civil society organisations that are condemning the Nigeria Police over the invitation.

The CSO called on the Police to go ahead with its investigation to find out the truth of the matter, and anyone found guilty should be prosecuted and face the wrath of the law.

“We are all aware that the police banned all sallah durbar activities to maintain peace in the state but Sanusi went ahead to ride a horse on Sallah day from the Eid Ground being surrounded by thugs who are loyal to him.

Ibrahim Alasan, who lost his life during the incident, is just a passerby, an innocent soul who was killed by these thugs.

It is not only in Sanusi’s entourage that a life was lost. It’s obviously clear that there is rivalry between thugs of most of the wards in Kano Municipal, the police saw that coming from their intelligence report and caution both parties not to hold any durbar but Sanusi went ahead to do that. Is he above the law?

It’s under the same Sanusi that thugs would always be seen giving him protection, not the appropriate security agency. Thugs now have access even into the Gidan Rumfa.

Just because you’re an Emir, you shouldn’t be investigated?

The lawyer further added that the CSOs are the creation of the Emir in an effort to sabotage the Nigerian Police.

“We know fully that these organisations that were all over the media condemning an investigative invitation meeting are sponsored by Sanusi

To make it to the public knowledge, they are doing all these as pseudonym, and their organisations are not registered.

I’m a lawyer, a member of the Kano Bar. I challenge them to come out and present themselves. ”

The Congress described those criticising Sanusi’s invitation as hypocrites.

“Where are they when the governor ordered the arrest of the legitimate Emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero? He went back to appoint an Emir despite a court order stopping him from doing so.

Is it not a disrespect to our culture and tradition?

We learnt that you have been crying of an assassination attempt during your procession with thugs who were employed by Gwale Local Government chairman for you by the police The Chairman had to run for his life, and now you are crying when an invitation was sent to you. Did you report it to the police in the first place?

Respect yourself by surrendering yourself to police to prove your innocence. ” She added.

The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn its earlier invitation extended to Alhaji Sanusi in connection with the unfortunate incident that occurred in Kano State during the Sallah celebration on March 30, 2025.

However, following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn.

Instead, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) have been mandated on the instructions of the IGP to proceed to Kano to obtain Alhaji Sanusi’s statement.

Prior to the Sallah Day celebration, credible intelligence at the disposal of the Police indicated that the two (2) disputed Emirs in Kano State -Alh Ado Bayero and Alh Lamido Sanusi were planning to hold separate Durbar Festivals. The Durbar Festival is a long held tradition which involves a recognized Emir riding on horses around the city in company of his people.

To forestall possible violence, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, deployed the Coordinating DIG for the North West who also serves as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Abubakar Sadiq, mni , to engage in dialogue with the two disputed Emirs in kano and the Kano State Government. It was mutually agreed that no Durbar Festival would be held to preserve peace and public safety and none of the disputed emirs will ride on horse on Sallah day.

Despite this agreement, Alhaji Sanusi who had attended the Eid Prayers in his car, decided to mount a horse in a procession after Eid Prayers on Sallah Day, accompanied by local vigilantes. This triggered a confrontation by youths in the community, leading to the tragic death of one Usman Sagiru, and leaving several others injured. A situation which the Force had earlier warned against and intended to avert by the emissaries sent earlier to both Alhaji Sanusi and Alhaji Ado Bayero.

The Assembly for the Preservation of Traditional Institutions in Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the recent invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, by the Nigeria Police Force. The group described the move as suspicious, given that the matter in question is already under investigation by the Kano State Police Command.

In a statement released on Saturday, April 5, 2025, the group highlighted the contents of the invitation letter dated April 4, 2025. The letter, signed by Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, Commissioner of Police (OPS), on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Department, requested the Emir’s presence at Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The letter stated that the invitation was in relation to an incident that occurred during the recent Sallah celebration in Kano.

Commissioner Ibitoye explained in the letter, “I have the directives of the Inspector General of Police through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID) to invite you for an investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain.”

The Assembly for the Preservation of Traditional Institutions in Nigeria expressed surprise and disbelief at the invitation, noting that the only known incident during the Sallah celebration was an attack on the Emir’s entourage. The attack, which occurred along Kofar Wambai after the Eid prayer at the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground, was declared an assassination attempt on Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Following the attack, the Kano State Police Command announced the arrest of Sagiru Usman, a 20-year-old resident of Sharifai Quarters, as one of the suspected attackers. The incident led to the tragic death of Surajo Rabiu, a vigilante member from Sabon Titi in Jaba area of Kano. Additionally, the Kano Police Command launched an investigation and invited Shamakin Kano, Alhaji Isyaku Wada, the Emir’s chief guard, for questioning over the security breach.

The Assembly questioned the rationale behind the Police High Command in Abuja intervening in a matter already being handled by the Kano State Police Command. “It is confusing and unimaginable that despite the ongoing investigation by the Kano State Command of the Nigeria Police, the Police High Command in Abuja extended an invitation to the Emir in connection to the same matter. This is curious,” the statement read.

While acknowledging the authority of the Police to summon any Nigerian regardless of status, the Assembly expressed suspicion over the timing and motive behind the invitation. The group pointed to lingering disputes over the Kano Emirate throne, suggesting that the invitation might be influenced by individuals seeking to destabilize the region.

“We are of the view that this invitation to Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II by the Police High Command is an affront on our revered traditional institution, whose custodian and identity is the Emir. We call on the Police to refrain from being used by selfish individuals whose known trade is causing trouble and destabilizing Kano,” the statement added.

Despite earlier concerns about potential security threats during the Sallah celebration, the occasion concluded peacefully. However, the Assembly warned that the Police invitation could provoke unrest among the Emir’s subjects, who hold him in high esteem. “Such an invitation can be seen as desecration of the revered institution and is therefore reprehensible,” the group concluded.

The statement was signed by Alhaji Yahya Nda Musa, National Coordinator of the Assembly for the Preservation of Traditional Institutions in Nigeria.