Kwankwaso Faults Police On Terror Alert, Urges Federal Gov’t To Respect Kano’s ‘Autonomy’

Former Kano State governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has called on the Federal Government to refrain from interfering in matters exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Kano State Government.

Kwankwaso’s remarks followed a recent terror alert issued by the Kano State Police Command, which he described as both unnecessary and harmful to the state’s interests.

LEADERSHIP reports the Kano State Police Command issued a terror alert less that 24 hours to the kickoff of the annual Tijjaniya Maulud.

Consequently, heavy security was deployed to bar the entrance of the venue of the maulud.

Reacting to the development, the Kano State government promptly kicked against the action and called on the police to withdraw, calling the alert baseless and unnecessary.

Taking to his official X on Monday, Kwankwaso congratulated the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order for successfully hosting the annual Maulud of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass, their spiritual leader at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

He commended the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II and the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf for organising the event.

However, the senator expressed concern over the timing and content of the terror alert issued by the police just before the event.

“This alert not only jeopardised the success of the gathering, but put the lives of the people of the state at risk by creating palpable fear among the people of Kano, those that came from other countries and parts of Nigeria,” Kwankwaso said.

He criticised the alert as baseless, pointing out that it ultimately proved false and warned that such actions could erode public trust in the police.

“Issuing a threat alert of this magnitude, which later turns out to be false, sets a dangerous precedent. I am afraid that it will lead people to be complacent in the event of a genuine threat in the future,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also highlighted the international implications of the police’s actions, noting that the event drew participants from across Nigeria and beyond. “Due to the international nature of the event, the conduct of the police leadership in Kano also leaves a bad impression of the Nigeria Police Force globally,” he said.

He urged the police in Kano to maintain professionalism and avoid being perceived as partisan. “I urge the Police Force in Kano to be professional and avoid being identified as deeply partisan in the affairs of Kano State and in other parts of the country,” he added.

Kwankwaso reiterated his call for the Federal Government to respect Kano’s autonomy and avoid unnecessary involvement in the state’s affairs.

“For the umpteenth time, I also urge the Federal Government to avoid dragging itself into unpleasant situations by further putting its hands in affairs that are strictly under the jurisdiction of the good people of Kano State and its Government,” he emphasised.