The police have taken control of the main palace of the Emir of Kano, removing local hunters who were guarding the reinstated Lamido Sanusi. This action follows rumors that federal authorities planned to relocate Aminu Ado-Bayero amid an ongoing emirship dispute.
Previously, hunters known locally as ‘Yan Tauri’ had been guarding the palace. These hunters were drawn from across the state to protect Sanusi after he was reappointed as emir. However, Mr. Ado-Bayero, who was removed by the state government last month, is currently guarded by federal security agents at the Nasarawa mini palace.
On Sunday evening, a team of security agents took over the Gidan Rumfa, the main emir’s palace, where the hunters had been present. According to a police officer at the palace, the hunters have been removed. “Did you need me to tell you that they (hunters) are no longer here? You can see it yourself; everyone has found his way,” the officer said.
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Residents confirmed that the hunters left between Saturday and Sunday morning after a court ruling invalidated Sanusi’s reappointment as emir. “Some of them left behind their machetes to conceal their identity after they were asked to vacate the palace or face the wrath of the security agents,” one resident reported.
The court ruling by Judge Abdullahi Liman declared Sanusi’s reappointment null and void because the state government had ignored an earlier court order preventing further action on the new emirate council law. The judge also instructed the state government to halt the implementation of the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024.
The police spokesperson in Kano, Haruna Kiyawa, could not be reached for comment on the development.