Kano Police Deploy Forces, Block Roads as Kwankwasiyya Protest Threatens to Escalate
The residence of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, located in the Nasarawa area of Kano State, remains sealed a day after the police took control, following escalating tensions linked to the ongoing dispute over the Kano Emirate.
On Wednesday morning, residents of Kano were taken by surprise when security forces heavily deployed along the road leading to the Kano Government House, which is situated near Bayero’s residence. Authorities also blocked all routes leading to the Nasarawa Emir’s residence without prior notice, leading to severe traffic congestion in the area, especially around Nasarawa, which is just a few meters from the Kano Government House.
A statement from the Kano State Police Command confirmed that the deployment was in response to credible intelligence reports warning of a potential violent protest in the state. The statement added that 17 individuals had been arrested in connection with the planned unrest.
“Following credible intelligence reports of a planned violent protest by some individuals, the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has deployed personnel and assets to strategic locations within Kano Metropolis to prevent the protest and ensure public safety,” the statement said.
Despite the police’s claims, an investigation by DAILY POST revealed that videos circulating on social media since Tuesday night alleged that members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, supporters of former Kano Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, were planning a protest against President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in Kano State affairs. The videos claimed the protest would target the ongoing dispute over the Kano Emirate and involve a march to the Kano Government House, passing through the Nasarawa Emir’s residence.
One Facebook user, Junaidu Aminu Kilishi, posted a video accusing Kwankwasiyya supporters of plotting to create chaos under the guise of a protest. The video claimed the protestors intended to march through Nasarawa Gate to the Government House, intending to criticize President Tinubu for allegedly destabilizing Kano and supporting Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
As of the time of this report, the Kwankwasiyya movement and the Kano State Government had not commented on these allegations. Security personnel remain stationed along the road leading to the Government House but have reopened one lane for returning traffic, maintaining a blockade on the route to the Nasarawa Emir’s residence, where Emir Aminu Ado Bayero currently resides.
The tensions in Kano date back to 2019 when former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), divided the Kano Emirate into five separate emirates, creating Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi emirates. In 2020, Ganduje removed the 14th Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, citing political interference and financial mismanagement. However, after the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) under Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso won the 2024 gubernatorial election, the new government reversed Ganduje’s decision, abolishing the new emirates and reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano. Since then, a bitter legal and political battle has ensued over the rightful Emir of Kano.
As it stands, the 16th Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has the backing of the Kano State Government, while the Federal Government—led by former Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and President Bola Tinubu—continues to support Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. This has led to an unprecedented situation where two rival Emirs coexist within the same city center, intensifying the ongoing conflict.
