Concerned Rano Emirate citizens in Kano have raised alarm over the presence of armed hoodlums at the headquarters of the emirate since Sunday.
Rano emirate was among the emirates created from the old Kano Emirate by ex-Governor Umar Ganduje, through the enactment of the Kano Emirate Law 2019.
The law was repealed by the state House of Assembly on May 23, 2024, thus dissolving the emirates and sacking all the emirs.
A letter addressed to the state Police Commissioner, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday showed that the hoodlums were camped at the emir’s palace since Sunday by yet-to-be-identified persons.
It noted that the motives of the armed youths remained unknown, as their incursion was considered a threat to the security of lives and property in the emirate.
The letter read in part: “In the evening of Sunday, 7th of July 2024, Rano town, the headquarters of our beloved Rano Emirate, was invaded by armed hoodlums believed to be sponsored by a yet-to-be-identified person(s), who camped at the emir’s palaces (both the main palace and historic Tsohon Gari Palace).
“The fact that the motives of these arms-carrying machinery remain unknown, their intrusion is generally considered a threat to the security of lives and property and, at the same time, a disrespect to the order by the Commissioner of Police on June 20, 2024, that all non-state security actors, including vigilance members and hunters, should desist from providing security services in the state.”
According to the letter, residents of the Rano Emirate were peaceful people known to always go about their businesses without creating trouble.
“It said over the years, Rano Emirate had experienced uninterrupted peace, which the security agencies can testify to
“The recent Emirates tussle in Kano State, however, brought about a lot of tension and discontent to the residents, as many felt that their opinions, as stakeholders, were not respected,” the letter stated.
It lamented that public hearings were not conducted throughout the state to establish whether there was a need to dissolve the four additional emirates of Rano, Gaya, Karaye and Bichi, upgraded by ex-Governor Ganduje.
“The people had exercised restraint because of their belief in the judiciary; since the Emirates case is before a competent court of justice.
“The good people of Rano Emirate, as usual, had opted to respect the court’s order issued by the Federal High Court, Kano, on the case, which we believed is a constitutional duty of all citizens,” the letter read.
