•Emir Sanusi and IGP Egbetokun
More facts have emerged on reasons behind the sealing off of the entrance gate leading to the palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, on Friday.
Though the Nigeria Police were yet to speak on the matter, a reliable source disclosed that the action carried out by law enforcement agency was aimed at preventing the breakdown of law and orders in Bichi town where Emir Sanusi was scheduled to visit to install a district head for the town, reports Sunday Tribune.
A source, who preferred anonymity, said that the residents of Bichi town had allegedly mapped out plans to prevent the installation from taking place.
The feelers were, however, not favourable to security operatives, as they swept into action to prevent the Emir of Kano from attending the programme.
It was also believed that the move was also taken to prevent eminent personalities from visiting Bichi town to attend the same event.
It was learnt that many residents of Bichi town were not happy about the planned installation, querying the rationale behind the idea of a district head.
Some residents who spoke with our correspondent felt that the planned installation was to demote the town.
According to them, when the five Emirate councils established by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje were sacked by current Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, he [Governor Yusuf] went ahead to appoint second-class emirs for three of the sacked Emirate councils and excluded Bichi town.
Some of the residents said the reason for their planned resistance to the Friday’s installation was because the governor demoted their kingdom to be ruled by an ordinary district head while the others towns that were sacked alongside are now being ruled by second-class emirs.
Some stakeholders, who confided in our correspondent, admitted that the police action could be a blessing in disguise as the situation could have caused a serious crisis in Bichi town which could escalate to many communities and state capital.
It will be recalled that as of 7 a.m. on Friday, heavily armed policemen had taken over the entrance leading to Emir Sanusi’s Kofar Kudu palace.
