Tensions have heightened in Kano state following violent attacks by loyalists of the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on the Kofar-Kudu palace of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The ugly incident ensued when Emir Bayero and his large entourage were returning from his Mandawori residence.
A statement issued by the Kano Emirate Media Team on Monday, and signed by Sadam Yakasai, disclosed that the attack was carried out when Emir Sanusi was out of the palace.
TheFact Daily reports that the Emirate has been rocked by a tense standoff between the two Emirs revolving around the throne with the 15th Emir, refusing to relinquish the throne. Both emirs have been holding court in separate palaces within Kano City.
According to Yakasai, Ado Bayero’s loyalists broke the gate and attacked the guards, injuring some of them. They smashed the police vehicles in the palace.
“Aminu deliberately passed through the emir’s palace road instead of taking the proper route from Koki to Nassarawa, and his hoodlums decided to attack Gidan Rumfa”, he said, adding that “this is not the first time he has passed through the area. He had done that previously after he visited his Mandawari residence. He did that to intimidate the people of the area”.
However, an eyewitness to the incident, Muktar Dahiru, debunked the narration of Yakasai and insisted the incident was rather a clash between those he described as ‘unknown miscreants’ at Kofar-Kudu palace and supporters of Bayero.
Dahiru, who was part of the entourage of Bayero, explained that the crisis started when ‘unknown miscreants’ brandishing dangerous weapons mounted a barricade to prevent the 15th emir from passing through Kofar-Kudu, citing his entourage.
Dahiru insisted that he was not aware of any palace guard inflicted with injury, but confirmed the forceful repel of an attempt by unknown miscreants to block the passage of Bayero. He stressed that the clash prompted the intervention of the police, who dispersed the hoodlums with tear gas.
The Kano state police command confirmed the incident, saying hoodlums, suspected to have infiltrated the crowd, launched an attack by hurling stones at the gate of the rival palace.
The attack led to the destruction of two motorcycles and the windscreens of three police vehicles deployed to maintain order at the palace.
Security operatives swiftly responded to the scene and arrested four suspects: Isyaku Uba of Koki Quarters, Abubakar Haruna of Daurawa Quarters, Umar Isah, and Hamisu Uba, both of Kantudu-Dala Quarters.
Normalcy was restored, while investigation into the motive and masterminds of the attack is ongoing.
