The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on Sunday, April 6, withdrew the invitation sent to the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II for an interrogation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The IGP had invited the Emir to provide his account on the violence that rocked the city of Kano during the Sallah celebration on March 30.
However, making a u-turn on the initial invitation, the Police said Sanusi need not come to the Force Headquarters in Abuja as the institution will take his statement in Kano.
In a statement issued on Sunday, April 6, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police said the invitation was withdrawn following advice from respected stakeholders of the state.
Adejobi also said the police had to recant on its initial invitation in line with the IGP’s commitment to ensuring that the actions taken by the police are not politicised or misinterpreted.
He said, “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.
“Prior to the Sallah Day celebration, credible intelligence at the disposal of the Police indicated that the two (2) disputed Emirs in Kano State -Alh Ado Bayero and Alh Lamido Sanusi were planning to hold separate Durbar Festivals,” he said.
Adejobi added that despite the ban of Durbar in the state, Sanusi had gone against the order by the police and mounted a horse while returning from the Eid prayers.
According to the police, the action of the Emir triggered some youths in Kano and this led to the death of one Usman Sagiru, and leaving several others injured.
The police said had its earlier warning been following, the situation would have been different with a peaceful outcome.
“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 added.
