Olusegun Ariyo
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
However, Egbetokun has directed the Kano State Command of the force to obtain Sanusi’s statement regarding the incident.
The police chief issued the directive through the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The Emir had been summoned over an alleged murder during last Sunday’s Sallah festivities in Kano.
The incident occurred after Emir Sanusi returned home from Eid prayers. He had gone to the Eid prayer ground on foot but returned to the palace riding a horse.
According to Adejobi, the withdrawal of the invitation was due to the intervention of certain stakeholders in the country.
He also stated that the decision aligned with the police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicised or misinterpreted.
The statement read: “The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn its earlier invitation extended to Alhaji Sanusi in connection with the unfortunate incident that occurred in Kano State during the Sallah celebration on March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.
“The invitation was initially issued to enable Alhaji Sanusi to provide his account of the events that led to the breakdown of law and order in the state.
“However, following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicised or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn.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.
“Before the Sallah Day celebration, credible intelligence at the disposal of the Police indicated that the two disputed Emirs in Kano State—Alhaji Ado Bayero and Alhaji Lamido Sanusi—were planning to hold separate Durbar Festivals.
“The Durbar Festival is a long-held tradition involving a recognised Emir riding on horses around the city accompanied by 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 neither of the disputed Emirs would ride on horseback 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. This was a situation the Force had earlier warned against and intended to avert by sending emissaries to both Alhaji Sanusi and Alhaji Ado Bayero.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, remains resolute in its commitment to conducting its criminal investigation duties with the highest level of professionalism, including the investigation of this incident.
“All individuals found culpable will, in due course, be brought to justice. To this effect, some arrests have been made, prompting the invitation to Alhaji Sanusi.
“The Force also wishes to reiterate that its actions are guided solely by the principles of justice, neutrality, and professionalism.”
