The Nigerian Army has firmly denied any involvement in the ongoing emirate tussle in Kano State, which has seen the dethronement of Aminu Ado-Bayero and the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
In a statement released on Sunday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, addressed allegations made by the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association. “Troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano State emirate tussle and are not involved in enforcing any court order,” Nwachukwu asserted.
He clarified that the military’s actions were purely preventive measures to maintain public order. “The issue of paramount concern to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies is the prevention of the breakdown of law and order in the state, which could be taken advantage of by adversarial non-state actors,” Nwachukwu explained.
The major general emphasized that the military’s involvement would only escalate if the situation surpassed the police’s capacity to maintain security. “All the Army is doing at this stage is to monitor the situation as it unfolds and be on standby in the event of any escalation that could threaten the security of the state and the region in general,” he added.
The emirate dispute erupted when Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf deposed Ado-Bayero on Thursday, leading to the reappointment of Sanusi II the following day. This move followed the passage of the Kano State Emirate Councils Amendment Bill, which Governor Yusuf signed into law. Additionally, the four new emirate councils created under the previous governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, were abolished, and the respective monarchs were dethroned.
Ado-Bayero’s whereabouts remained unknown immediately after his dethronement, but reports of his return to Kano on Saturday have heightened tensions in the state. The Kano branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the alleged use of military personnel to enforce court orders related to the dispute.
Major General Nwachukwu’s statement underscores the Army’s commitment to preventing disorder while refraining from direct involvement in the emirate’s political conflict. The military remains on alert, ready to intervene if the situation deteriorates, but insists that its current role is limited to surveillance and readiness.
