By Prosper Mene, April 9, 2025
Tensions are escalating in Kano as a group of Northern women have issued a public ultimatum to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, demanding that he fully cooperate with police investigations into a deadly clash during Sallah celebrations on March 30, 2025. The women, voicing their frustration through statements shared on social media platforms, warned that failure to comply could lead to widespread protests, potentially worsening the already fragile regional stability.
The controversy generated from an incident during the Eid festivities, where Sanusi defied a police ban on durbar activities by riding on horseback after prayers. The event turned violent, resulting in one death and an injury within the Emir’s entourage amid clashes between rival groups. The incident has reignited tensions in the long-standing rivalry between Sanusi and his cousin, Aminu Ado Bayero, over the Kano emirate throne—a dispute that has polarized the region since Sanusi’s reinstatement in 2024 following Bayero’s dethronement in 2020.
Initially, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, summoned Sanusi to Abuja for questioning. However, following public outcry and intervention from stakeholders, the summons was withdrawn on April 7, with police directed to take Sanusi’s statement in Kano instead. Despite this adjustment, the Northern women remain dissatisfied, insisting that the Emir’s cooperation is essential for justice and peace. “Sanusi must heed the police, or we will take to the streets,” read one widely circulated statement on X, reflecting a sentiment that has sparked heated online debates.
In Kano, where historical and political rivalries run deep, any protest could further inflame tensions, potentially drawing in broader segments of the population.
Local voices in Kano are divided. Some residents support the women’s call for accountability, arguing that no one should be above the law. “The Emir’s actions led to a death—there must be justice,” said Fatima Abdullahi, a market trader in Kano, who spoke to reporters today. Others, however, see the situation as politically motivated, pointing to the ongoing emirate dispute as the root of the conflict. “This is less about justice and more about settling scores,” argued Musa Ibrahim, a local historian, who believes the police and government should focus on mediating the rivalry rather than escalating it through investigations.
The Kano State Police Command has not yet issued a public response to the women’s ultimatum, but sources indicate they are under pressure to handle the situation delicately to avoid further unrest. Meanwhile, Sanusi has remained silent on the matter, a stance that some interpret as defiance and others as a strategic move to avoid inflaming the situation further.
