Fear grips Kano residents as armed thugs set up camp near the Emir's palace

The presence of armed thugs at the Emirate’s headquarters on Sunday has alarmed concerned citizens of Rano town in Kano State.

The hoodlums had been camping at the Emir’s palace since Sunday, according to a letter written to the state Police Commissioner that was made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday. The letter’s addressees have not been named.

It stated that as the armed teens’ incursion is typically regarded as a threat to the security of people and property, their motivations are yet unknown.

The letter read in part, “In the evening of Sunday, July 7, 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 Place and historic Tsohon Gari Palace).

The intrusion of these weapons-carrying machines is generally regarded as a threat to the safety of people and property, even though it also disregards the Commissioner of Police’s June 20, 2024, order for all non-state security actors—including hunters and vigilance members—to stop offering security services in the state.

The letter claims that people who live in the Rano emirate are calm individuals who always go about their business without causing issue.

“It said over the years, the Rano emirate has experienced uninterrupted peace, and security agencies can testify to this.”

“The recent emirates tussle in Kano State, however, had 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.

“This is connected to the fact that public hearings were not conducted throughout the State to establish whether there was a need to dissolve the four additional emirates (Rano, Gaya, Karaye, and Bichi) upgraded by the administration of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje in the state.

“Even with the above development, the residents of Rano emirate were able to control their emotions and acted within the confine of the law, as only legitimate peaceful demonstrations were carried out.’’

“The people exercised restraint because they believe in the judiciary since the Emirates case was 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.”