Police have called Emir Sanusi II to Abuja regarding violence during the Sallah procession in Kano.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has formally requested the presence of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, for an inquiry related to the violent outbreak that occurred during the recent Eid-el-Fitr procession in Kano, which led to the death of a local vigilante member.
The royal figure was summoned after a fatal event unfolded on Eid Day when the Emir’s group traveled from the Eid prayer ground back to the palace in a customary procession. The confrontation, which disrupted the otherwise calm festivities, resulted in the unfortunate death of a vigilante member, Surajo Rabiu, and left another person wounded.
The summons was detailed in an official document dated April 4, 2025, signed by Commissioner of Police, CP Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, representing the Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja.
The letter states: “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 police, through the letter, directed the monarch to present himself at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, located opposite the Police Headquarters in Area 11, by 10:00am on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
This situation arises amid escalating tensions in Kano State after the State Police Command’s earlier move to prohibit the annual Durbar festival citing security risks. The restriction, declared days prior to the Eid-el-Fitr festivities, aimed to avert any potential disruption of peace and order during the holiday season.
Nevertheless, despite the cancellation of the Durbar, a motorcade procession led by Emir Sanusi II proceeded on the third day of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
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