In response to directives from the Kano State Government for the complete demolition and rebuilding of the Nassarawa Aminu Ado Bayero Palace, heavily armed Nigeria Police officers have been redeployed to the site.
Despite Governor Abba Yusuf’s directive for the police to evict the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, from the mini palace in the Nasarawa area, State Commissioner of Police, AIG Usaini Gumel, has refrained from enforcing the order. Instead, additional armed personnel have been deployed to the location.
Our correspondent observed that major linking roads, including State Road and Bawo Road leading to the Nassarawa Emir Palace, have been barricaded by police, restricting all passage.
The governor’s eviction order was communicated through the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, on Thursday night.
AIG Gumel explained that complying with the eviction order would be premature, noting that the government had already filed a case at the State High Court, with a hearing scheduled for Monday, June 24, 2024.
He emphasized that executing the eviction order would be like “jumping the gun,” as the court’s decision was still pending.
“The police will not evict Aminu Ado Bayero because the same government has filed a case at the State High Court on the eviction order, which would come up on Monday, 24th June 2024.
So, if we carry out the order, it is like we are pre-empting the court because we don’t know what will happen at the court,” Gumel stated.
Security has been heightened around the Nasarawa mini palace, with additional personnel deployed to the area.
All major routes leading to the palace have been blocked by security personnel. Despite the governor’s directive, Bayero remains in the mini palace, accompanied by his guards and supporters.
The refusal of the police to evict Bayero has heightened tensions in Kano State, as the power tussle over the Kano throne between the state government and the deposed emir continues to unfold.
This is the second instance of the State’s Police Command disregarding the governor’s directive.
Approximately four weeks ago, Governor Yusuf ordered the police to arrest Bayero for entering Kano city despite his dethronement, but the police command ignored the order.
The development has prompted the Kano State government to accuse the police of taking sides, alleging that they are following orders from external powers rather than the elected governor, who is the chief security officer of the state.
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