A police wireless signal dated March 30, 2025, which detailed the situation report on Sallah celebrations in Kano, has shown that the prayers were conducted peacefully in the state capital, contrary to subsequent claims of “violent incident” by the police.
Recall that the force headquarters had invited the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for questioning over a what they termed as “violent incident” that occurred during the Eid festival in the state.
Although the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had withdrawn the invitation, observers said the IGP was acting the script of politicians to embarrass the emir and Kano emirate.
According to the first wireless signal, the Kano Police Command informed to the headquarters that the two emirs — Muhammadu Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero — had performed Eid prayers separately at Kofar Mata and Nasarawa mini palace respectively without any incident.
The signal with reference number SJ:4161/KNS/DOPS/VOL.63/91 X and titled “situation report on eid-el-fitr sallah celebrations” said the events were held peacefully.
The signal (edited as follows for clarity) read: “Grateful. Be informed that between 08:30am to 09:00am, eid-fitr prayers were conducted peacefully. Emir Aminu Ado Bayero attended prayers at Nasarawa mini palace, while Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi prayed at Kofar Mata traditional eid praying ground. He was later joined by the executive governor, H.E. Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf. Similarly, prayers were conducted peacefully throughout the state. Area remain generally calm at the moment. Further development will be communicated for your information, please.”
However, in another signal dated March 31, the commissioner of police intimated the force headquarters of a case of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide that occurred while Emir Sanusi was returning back home.
According to the signal, one Usman Sagiru of Sharifai quarters, along with his criminal gang members, stabbed two vigilante members attached to the emir.
The second signal, also edited for clarity, read: “Grateful. Be informed that at about 12:40pm, one Usman Sagiru, a 20-year-old man from Sharifai quarters and his gang members criminally conspired and stabbed one Surajo Rabiu of Sabon Titi Jaba quarters and Auwal Suleman of Kofar Mata quarters — all vigilante members attached to Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. The incident occurred while dispersing from Eid praying ground. As a result, they sustained serious injuries. Scene visited, and victims were taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where Surajo Rabiu was confirmed dead, while Auwalu Suleman is responding to treatment. Meanwhile, Usman Sagiru has been arrested, while others took to their heels. Investigation is ongoing as efforts are being intensified to arrest the remaining suspects.”
Palace sources however said the emir and his party had not heard about any incident before, during and after the eid prayer until hours after the emir had returned home.
Alleged violation of durbar ban
Palace insiders however said that the emir did not violate the durbar ban by riding back home of Eid prayer ground.
“Returning back home on horseback is a Sunnah (tradition) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW),” said a source.
“Is the IGP saying the emir should not practice his religion as guaranteed by the constitution? Even when the durbar was banned last year, the emir did the same tradition of trekking to the mosque and returning on a horseback. And even at that, the emir got the consent of the government to ride back to the palace on his horse.”
The source said the victim was not known to the palace, noting that the palace did not engage any vigilante to protect the emir.
“Secondly, according to police signal, the incident occurred at 12:40pm — long after the emir and his party had returned to the palace. And even to their own admission, the said victim was a vigilante member protecting the emir.
“But the fact of the matter is that the said victim “Usman Sagiru” was not known to the palace. The emir did not assign any vigilante to his entourage. And there is no any “Usman Sagiru” among the palace guards.
“The incident was clearly instigated by the emir’s enemies who are hellbent on smearing his image. The police know very well who are behind the killing, but they ignored them to chase shadows and show utter disrespect to Kano Emirate,” he added.
On the pre-Sallah parley arranged by the force headquarters, the source said, “the police also lied on what transpired when the headquarters sent the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Abubakar Sadiq to meet the emir. During the meeting, the emir told them clearly that the governor is the chief security officer of the state, who should determine whether durbar should hold or not. The emir clearly cautioned them against politicising the security, peace and harmony in the state.”
