The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reversed self and decided to extract statement from Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in his domain Kano, instead of earlier invite to Abuja for ‘investigative meeting”.
Before the reversal, Businessman Atedo Peterside and Human rights advocate Chidi Odinkalu had expressed concerns over the Nigerian Police (NP) invite to the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to Abuja for questioning on 8th April, 2025.
Full text of the reversal reads below:
PRESS RELEASE
IGP DIRECTS FID OPERATIVES TO OBTAIN ALHAJI SANUSI’S STATEMENT IN KANO
As NPF Withdraws Invitation Letter
The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn its earlier invitation extended to Alhaji Sanusi in connection with the unfortunate incident that occurred in Kano State during the Sallah celebration on March 30, 2025. The invitation was initially issued to enable Alhaji Sanusi to provide his account of the events that led to the breakdown of law and order in the state.
However, following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn. Instead, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) have been mandated on the instructions of the IGP to proceed to Kano to obtain Alhaji Sanusi’s statement.
Prior to the Sallah Day celebration, credible intelligence at the disposal of the Police indicated that the two (2) disputed Emirs in Kano State -Alh Ado Bayero and Alh Lamido Sanusi were planning to hold separate Durbar Festivals. The Durbar Festival is a long held tradition which involves a recognized Emir riding on horses around the city in company of his people.
To forestall possible violence, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, deployed the Coordinating DIG for the North West who also serves as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Abubakar Sadiq, mni , 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 none of the disputed emirs will ride on horse on Sallah day.
Despite this agreement, Alhaji 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 which the Force had earlier warned against and intended to avert by the emissaries sent earlier to both Alhaji Sanusi and Alhaji Ado Bayero
The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, remains resolute in its commitment to conducting its criminal investigation duties with the highest level of professionalism including the investigation of this incident. All individuals found culpable will at the end be brought to justice. To this effect, some arrests have been made prompting invitation to Alhaji Sanusi. The Force also wishes to reiterate that its actions are guided solely by the principles of justice, neutrality, and professionalism.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA.
6TH APRIL 2025
Businessman Atedo Peterside and Human rights advocate Chidi Odinkalu have expressed concerns over the Nigerian Police (NP) invitation of the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to Abuja for questioning on 8th April, 2025.
The Inspector General of Police had in an earlier letter invited the Emir to Abuja Force Headquarters “for an investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain.”
But Peterside wondered why the Emir should be invited to Abuja over issue in Kano instead of being handled by the State Commissioner of Police on behalf of the bosses in Abuja.
Peterside in a text in his X handle likened such “Invitations across State boundaries” as ” a form of “harassment” which should be discouraged in the 21st Century.
According to him, “What is @PoliceNG trying to turn Nigeria into? Has Nigeria become a Police State? Is there any question that the Commissioner of Police cannot legitimately ask the Emir of Kano in Kano on behalf of his Abuja bosses? Invitations across State boundaries are a form of “harassment” and should be discouraged in the 21st Century.”
Odinkalu on his part, Odinkalu wondered why “…It looks like some ppl are bent on using @PoliceNG to foment crisis in Kano at all costs?!”
The full text of the earlier letter reads below:
THE DEPUTY INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE,
FORCE INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT (FID). THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE.
FORCE HEADQUARTERS.
AREA 11 GARKI
ABUIA
Date
R:3000/FID/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.59/697
2th April, 2025
HRH, SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI Ph.D
EMIR’S PALACE.
KANO.
LETTER OF INVITATION
I have the directives of the Inspector General of police, through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID) to invite you for an investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain.
In view of the above, you are hereby invited to Force Intelligence Department, opposite Police force headquarters Area 11. Abuja by 1000hrs of Tuesday 8th of April, 2025
Your is highly sought for a purposeful investigation.
Accept the warm regards of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, please.
CP OLAJIDE RUFUS IBITOYE MSC, COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (OPS), FOR: DEPUTY INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE, FORCE INTELLIGENCE-DEPARTMENT (FID),
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