The Kano State Government has expressed its concern regarding the police command’s disregard for the “legitimate instructions” of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Chief Security Officer of the State.
Addressing the media at a press conference held at the Government House in Kano on Saturday, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Isah Dederi, voiced his frustration. “I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief? It seems some individuals are issuing directives to security chiefs in the State, leading to the State Police Commissioner, without consulting the Chief Security Officer or seeking approval from the State Security Council, unilaterally banning Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Kano State.
“How can anyone in their right mind ban Sallah festivities in Kano? When did the State Governor lose his authority as the Chief Security Officer of the State to the point where he learns about such a ban through social media? Who is influencing the State Commissioner of Police to overstep the Governor’s authority? The Commissioner of Police has consistently ignored the Governor’s legitimate instructions, citing orders from above. I must ask again, what has Kano done to deserve such treatment from the Nigeria Police?”
Responding to a Federal High Court judgment that upheld the fundamental rights of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, Dederi asserted that the government had not infringed on the dethroned monarch’s rights.
Read Also:
“The Federal High Court No. 3, Kano, ruled that certain fundamental rights of the deposed emir were violated, including placing him under house arrest. We respect the court’s judgment, but any dissatisfied party has the option to appeal. Our legal team is carefully studying the judgment with a view to appealing because we believe no fundamental rights of the former emir were violated.
“No one forced him into Gidan Nassarawa, which belongs to the Kano State government. He entered and stayed there voluntarily with security guards. Therefore, he was not under house arrest.
“Secondly, the Executive Governor, as the Chief Security Officer of the State, has a constitutional duty to protect the lives and properties of Kano’s residents. When the former emir arrived with hoodlums, threatening peace and order, the Governor had a duty to act to maintain peace, which led to the arrest order. However, this arrest was never carried out by any security agency in the State. The former Emir has continued his activities there, as seen through numerous social media posts.”
Daily Trust reports that the police recently announced a ban on Durbar activities during the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festivities. Police spokesperson Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa stated, “For the purpose of overriding public safety, combined security agencies will not permit cultural troupes, costumes, weapons wielding, or any form of insignia representing Durbar from any traditional stool contenders.
“We urge all law-abiding residents of the State to continue cooperating with the police and other relevant security agencies as adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure low-key, hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebrations during this challenging period.”