Victor EzejaAn invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has been withdrawn.
The police authorities had in a letter on Friday, 4 April invited the Emir to their headquarters in Abuja for questioning over an incident that was said to have occurred during the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr celebration in Kano.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe police said that against its earlier advice that the two disputing Emirs in Kano State -Alh Ado Bayero and Alh Lamido Sanusi, should not hold Durbar Festival during the Salah celebration, but Sanusi did by mounting a horse in a procession after Eid Prayers on the 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,” the Police stated.
The police said the invitation was for Emir Sanusi to give his account of the incident.
However, a statement released on Sunday, signed by the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn the invitation.
Adejobi said the IGP directed that the invitation be withdrawn following “advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not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,”
Adejobi said that “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.”
While noting that some arrests had been made over the incident that led to a breakdown of law and order, the Force PRO assured that all individuals found guilty will at the end be brought to justice.
Adejobi maintained that the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the IGP Egbetokun remains committed to observing highest level of professionalism
including the duties of conducting criminal investigation of the incident and ensuring that justice is delivered.
“All individuals found culpable will at the end be brought to justice. To this effect, some arrests have been made prompting invitation to Alhaji Sanusi. The Force also wishes to reiterate that its actions are guided solely by the principles of justice, neutrality, and professionalism,” Adejobi further stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
