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Demolition: Our Lives are in Danger, Kano Community Cried Out, Looters Police Attack Journalist

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A building marked for demolition

 

 

Residents of Salanta Quarters along B.U.K Road in Kano State have raised the alarm over fear of their safety after looters numbering over 1000 invaded their community last night alongside officials of Kano State Government who descended on the area for demolition of houses marked as illegal structures.

Muhammad Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the community’s forum said, there was pandemonium in the area last night after the said hoodlums and thugs took over the area attacking and beating up people including a pregnant woman who is currently battling for her life in the hospital.

According to him trouble started in the community a day after officials from the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KANUPDA) visited the area marking structures for demolition, a development which prompted them to rush to the agency to have an audience with the Managing Director but to no avail.

“KANUPDA officials were here earlier on Thursday to mark our houses for demolition. We quickly rushed to their office to see the MD to inform him that we have every necessary document for our houses but we were told the MD was not available and we should go back and just pray”.

We also tried to secure court injunctions to stop the state government from carrying out the demolition but to our greatest surprise, the courts refused to grant us our request on the ground that the state government has ordered them not to grant such order”.

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“Behold, we came under attack last night (Friday) at about by 10pm by looters not less than a thousand who accompanied KANUPDA’s officials for demolition exercise which you can see for yourself. We were left in panic; no one was able to sleep last night.”

“Just the way you were attacked today, that was how we were attacked last night in the presence of Civil Defense Officials who accompanied them but refused to protect us”.

He added that the exercise was carried out in the presence of the secretary to the state government, Baffa Bichi and the reinstated state Anti-Corruption agency, Bar. Muhuyi Magaji which further affirmed that the looters are having their field day under the protection of the state government” we have lost billions of naira between last night to this afternoon. My building alone cost me over 150million not to talk about others”.

Aliyu pleaded on human right organizations, the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to come to their rescue as they fear more damages could be done in the area as the police have informed them that they have been asked to keep away.

 

On his part, the secretary of the Public Property Recovery Committee of Kano State Government, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, stated that they did not go to Salanta as alleged in the media reports. Instead, the government have taken steps to demolish illegal buildings erected at the Kano State Polytechnic.

He emphasized that in Kano, where the population is projected to quadruple every decade, the former Government of Kano State corruptly diverted part of Kano State polytechnic and allocated to families and crannies which he vowed the incumbent will never be allowed to be swept under the carpet. This is because future citizens of Kano would have no place to study.
He maintained that it is a misinformation and mischief for someone to claim that he was victimized in the process as according to him the government is in possession of video evidence of all the process to counter the narrative.
“Without prejudice to the position of government on any private building erected in that public owned polytechnic, yet no single house was demolished but the government started reclaiming fenced lands you can go and verify “

Yakubu Salisu a journalist with Blazon news Nigeria and acting chairman online journalists association Kano chapter came under attack after scores of looters descended on him with stones and other dangerous weapons for capturing them on pictures and videos. Shortly after the narrow escape, Anti-Daba police officers who rushed to the area also pounced on this journalist and took away his phone deleting pictures and videos saying that they were not authorized to be there as such will be in danger should the videos and pictures show their faces that they came on their own discretion to chase away the looter and took off immediately.

 

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NGO Criticizes Police Over Disrespectful Address of Kano Emir

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The Coalition of Concerned Kano Civil Society Groups (CCKCSG), a collective of organizations advocating for justice, cultural preservation, and good governance in Kano State, has expressed strong disapproval of the Nigeria Police Force’s (NPF) handling of the ongoing Kano Emirate dispute.

The group condemned the police for referring to His Royal Highness, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, as “Alhaji Sanusi,” describing the act as disrespectful and undermining the sanctity of one of Nigeria’s most esteemed traditional institutions. This criticism was conveyed in a press statement issued by Nura Idris, the group’s coordinator.

“The Kano Emirate is a centuries-old institution that symbolizes our cultural heritage, spiritual leadership, and communal unity,” Idris stated. He further criticized the police’s decision to summon Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the national headquarters in Abuja following the Eid al-Fitr durbar in April 2025. Idris argued that this move, later withdrawn after public outcry, reflected political interference and an attempt to diminish the Emirate’s authority.

The coalition highlighted the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold law and order impartially. However, Idris pointed out that the police’s actions in the Kano Emirate tussle, including contradictory enforcement of court orders and selective bans on protests, suggested alignment with political interests. “Reports of federal interference and the deployment of military personnel in a state matter further fuel perceptions of bias,” he added.

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Idris emphasized the need for the police to remain neutral in the ongoing dispute between Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero. He called for dialogue, cultural sensitivity, and legal resolution rather than heavy-handed enforcement. “The police must not allow themselves to be weaponized in this conflict,” he said.

The coalition also condemned the police’s reference to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as “Alhaji Sanusi” in official communications, describing it as a deliberate act of disrespect. “This strikes at the heart of our cultural identity,” Idris remarked. He demanded a public apology from the police and urged them to address the Emir by his proper title in all future engagements.

In his statement, Idris called on the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and other relevant authorities to ensure the neutrality of the police in the Kano Emirate dispute. He urged the police to engage traditional leaders respectfully and focus on their constitutional role of protecting lives and property without prejudice.

The coalition appealed to all stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, and the people of Kano, to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over confrontation. “The Kano Emirate tussle has already caused significant unrest, with protests and clashes threatening the peace of our state,” Idris warned. He stressed that the police must avoid actions that appear politically motivated or culturally insensitive.

The Coalition of Concerned Kano Civil Society Groups reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for justice, cultural preservation, and good governance. Idris concluded, “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to mobilize further action if the police fail to heed this call.”

 

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Killings: Kogi Women Stripped Naked

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Some angry women from Oke-Ere in the Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State came out on Wednesday to protest what they called the “endless reign of terror” in their community.

The women, many of whom are elderly, marched through the town with sad chants in a local dialect.

In a video sighted by PUNCH Online on Wednesday, they appeared half-naked, holding sticks and leaves as they cried and sang about the constant attacks, kidnappings, and killings happening around them.

They begged the government and security forces to step in quickly and stop the violence.

This protest comes not long after armed men kidnapped three people and injured four others along the Ayere-Kabba Expressway in March.

The injured victims were taken to St. John’s Hospital in Kabba for treatment

 

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Stop Dragging NBA into Kano Emirate Tussle – Barrister Nafisa Replies Gandu

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The Chairperson of the Northern Women Lawyers Congress Barrister Nafisa Abba has called on Badamasi Sulaiman Gandu to stop dragging the Nigeria Bar Association into the State Emirate Tussle which is before the court of law.

It would be recalled that the lawyer has advised Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II to tender his statement to the Police in regards to the sallah durbar incident that led to the lost of lives, reminding the Emir that he is not above the law.

But in a response, Badamasi Gandu, a lawyer, described the call as unprofessional and unbecoming of a member of the Kano Bar.

” I was amazed by the response of my colleague Badamasi Sulaiman Gandu, it’s so sad that a lawyer like him would go so low like this; lawyers are known for always being comprehensive to any matter before making their opinion.

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As the Chairperson of Northern Women Lawyers Congress, we have the right to issue a statement, it’s our constitutional responsibility, we didn’t do that on behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association; it’s ridiculous that Badamasi is bringing NBA into the matter.

All we are saying is for Emir and his supporters to stop using faceless organisations on this matter.

Like I did, I wrote my name, and the organisation I’m representing is not a pseudonym.

Badamasi Gandu has taken side on the matter. Everyone knows that he is a kwankwasiyya supporter but just hiding under human rights activism.

It’s good that you have shown the world your true colour. ” She said.

The lawyer further maintains her stands that the Emir is not above the law while asking him to tender his statement before the police for the interest of peace and the rule of law.

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