Police Withdraw Sanusi’s Invitation Letter

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has withdrawn its earlier invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Mohammad Sanusi II, in connection with the unfortunate incident in Kano State during the Sallah celebration on March 30, 2025.

LEADERSHIP learnt that following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the inspector-general of police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicised or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn.

The invitation was initially issued to enable the emir to provide his account of the events that led to the state’s breakdown of law and order.

However, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) have been mandated to follow the instructions of the IGP to proceed to Kano to obtain Sanusi’s statement.

Force PRO ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that before the Sallah Day celebration, credible intelligence at the police’s disposal indicated that the two disputed emirs in Kano State -Alh Ado Bayero and Sanusi—were planning to hold separate Durbar Festivals.

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The Durbar Festival is a long-held tradition that involves a recognised emir riding on horses around the city in the company of his people.

Adejobi said, “To forestall possible violence, the inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, deployed the coordinating DIG for the North West, DIG Abubakar Sadiq, who also serves as the deputy inspector-general of police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, to engage in dialogue with the two disputed emirs in Kano and the Kano State Government.

“It was mutually agreed that no Durbar Festival would be held to preserve peace and public safety and that none of the disputed emirs would ride on horse on Sallah day.

“Despite this agreement, Sanusi, who had attended the Eid Prayers in his car, decided to mount a horse in a procession after Eid Prayers on Sallah Day, accompanied by local vigilantes. This triggered a confrontation by youths in the community, leading to the tragic death of one Usman Sagiru, and leaving several others injured. A situation the Force had earlier warned against and intended to avert.”