Concerned citizens of Rano, Kano State, have raised the alarm over the presence of armed hoodlums at the Emirate’s headquarters on Sunday.
A copy of a letter issued to the state police commissioner, which Chronicle NG obtained on Tuesday, indicated that the hoodlums had been tented at the Emir’s palace since Sunday by unidentified individuals.
It was highlighted that the armed youths’ goals are unknown, as their entrance is commonly regarded as a threat to the security of lives and properties of Kano state residents.
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).
Although the motives of these arms-carrying machineries are unknown, their intrusion is widely regarded as a threat to the security of lives and property, as well as a violation of the Commissioner of Police’s directive on June 20, 2024, that all non-state security actors, including vigilance members and hunters, refrain from providing security services in the state.
According to the letter, residents of the Rano emirate are calm people who conduct their activities without causing disturbance.
“It said that over the years, the Rano emirate has experienced uninterrupted peace, and security agencies can attest to this.”
“The recent emirates tussle in Kano State, however, had brought about a lot of tension and discontent among 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 act within the confines 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 was a constitutional duty of all citizens.”