The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn its earlier invitation extended to Alhaji Sanusi in connection with the unfortunate incident that occurred in Kano State during the Sallah celebration on March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to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn.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.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has summoned the emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to appear at the Police Force Intelligent Headquarters, Abuja, over an alleged infraction against the ban on Eid-el-Fitr Sallah Durbar.

Emir Sanusi received notice of a meeting for an investigation a few minutes after the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, visited the 15th Emir Aminu Ado Bayero at the Nassarawa mini palace, Kano.

In a letter dated 4th of April 2025, signed by a Commissioner of Police, operations at the Police Force Intelligent Department (FID), CP Olajide Rufus Ibitoyo, the IGP directed emir Sanusi to appear at the FID headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, 8th, 2025 for investigation.

The invitation may not be unconnected to the bloody attack on the emir’s security detail on Sallah day by one person allegedly belonging to violent “yan daba” group, where one of the vigilantes attached to the emir was stabbed to death while several others sustained injuries.

Meanwhile, police command in Kano have confirmed the arrest of a 20-year-old suspect linked to the stabbing saying investigation to unravel the cause of the attack had since launched.

The IGP invite however reads ” I have the directive of the IGP through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), to invite you for investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Salah celebration within your domain.

“Given the above, we hereby invite you to the Force Intelligent Department, opposite force headquarters, Area 11 Abuja, by 10am on Tuesday 8th April 2025. Your availability is highly sought for a purposeful investigation”. the read.

About 48 hours to Eid-el-Fitr Sallah celebration, the police authority in Kano imposed ban on Sallah Durbar citing security intelligence of possible hijack of the activities by hoodlums to perpetrate unrest in the city.

The police specifically prohibited horse rides, car race and reckless driving in the city and threatened to deal ruthlessly against violators of the order. And in compliance with the police directive however, Sanusi had announced the cancellation of all preparation for Sallah durbar where he admitted the decision of the police was in best interest of Kano.

Ganduje who arrived Kano on Saturday amid heavily armed security personnel declared that Bayero, 15th emir of Kano reserved the right to conduct Sallah Durbar considering the recent ruling of the court, he however commended him for deemed it necessary to cancel his event.

“We also want to use this opportunity to congratulate His Highness on the Eid El Fitr celebration and to also thank you profoundly especially for the steps you took when the state was on the verge of falling into crises following the court ruling that instructed the former status quo of the Emirate to be maintained, meaning that the Emir of Kano remains His Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

“On the other hand, the one claiming to be the Emir, the court has clearly rules that he is not the Emir of Kano. Therefore, the status quo will be maintained. Hence, the rightful person to have performed the annual Sallah Durbar is His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero”, Ganduje declared.