Kano State Governor Criticizes Police Command's Attitude and Urges Peaceful Protest

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has criticized the state's police command's attitude. As the Chief Security Officer of the State, he charged that the police were disobeying his commands. According to the governor, the police officers stationed in the state were not assisting him.

“All the security operatives in the state cooperate with me, except the police. Any time I give orders to the police, they refuse to take them, and would say they take orders from above. Imagine as the Executive Governor and Chief Security Officer of this state, I cannot give orders to the police. This is frustrating and unfortunate,” Yusuf said.

During a stakeholders' meeting on Wednesday at the Africa House, Government House, Kano, he made the following statements. Additionally, he revealed that several irate lawmakers intended to use the upcoming national demonstration as a cover to wreak havoc around the state.

“We have intelligence information that some disgruntled politicians from the opposition are plotting to hijack the impending nationwide protests in order to cause mayhem in Kano. They are planning to pose as members of our Kwankwasiyya movement to indulge in burning of buildings and looting of properties to make it look as if it is our supporters that are the ones perpetrating the acts,” Yusuf said.

In addition to saying he was prepared to see them at Government House and take their letters of grievances for further forwarding to the Federal Government, the Governor urged the young people participating in the protests to behave properly and peacefully.

“I will not run away. I will wait and receive them at the Government House to collect their demands and deliver same to the Federal Government, so long as they conduct themselves peacefully,” the Governor said.

Muhammadu Sunusi II, the Emir of Kano, warned the young people not to get involved in the protests since they could be manipulated by criminals and result in damage and human casualties. Nonetheless, he agreed with the Governor's choice to greet the demonstrators and direct their demands to the proper place.