Hoodlums take over deposed Emir of Rano’s Palace

Residents of Rano Emirate in Kano have expressed grave concern and raised the alarm over the presence of heavily armed Hoodlums at the emirate’s headquarters since Sunday.

The Rano emirate was one of the new emirates established in 2019 by former Governor Umar Ganduje, as part of a broader reform of the traditional governance structure in Kano State.

On May 23, 2024, the Kano State House of Assembly repealed the controversial law, effectively abolishing the newly created emirates and resulting in the removal of all the emirs from their positions.

A letter addressed to the state Police Commissioner, a copy of which was made available on Tuesday showed that the hoodlums were camped at the emir’s palace since Sunday by yet-to-be-identified persons.

It stated 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 bemoaned 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.

Punch