The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of involvement in the ongoing Kano State emirate dispute. According to a statement from Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the military is not enforcing any court orders related to the conflict.
In response to allegations by the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu clarified, “Troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano State emirate tussle and are not involved in enforcing any court order.” He emphasized that the Army’s primary role is to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
“The Army has taken proactive measures to ensure that the security situation remains stable and that no adverse actions threaten public safety due to the emirate dispute,” Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu stated. He added that the military would only intervene if the police were unable to manage the situation.
The dispute escalated after the governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, dethroned Aminu Ado-Bayero on Thursday and reappointed Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano on Friday. This followed the passage of the Kano State Emirate Councils Amendment Bill, which led to the abolition of four additional emirate councils created by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, resulting in the dethronement of their monarchs.
The situation has created tension in Kano, particularly with reports of Ado-Bayero’s return to the state on Saturday after his dethronement. In light of these events, the Kano Branch of the NBA criticized the alleged use of Army personnel to enforce court orders related to the dispute.
Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu reiterated that the Army remains on standby to act if necessary to ensure the security of Kano State and the surrounding region.
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