Relative peace returned to the Kano metropolis late on Sunday after initial protest by supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero who failed to get the nod of the city’s kingmakers and the state government to emerge as new emir.
Bayero’s supporters had set off bonfires in various locations after the Secretary to state government, Rabiu Bichi, announced that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi, had been selected.
A resident who claimed not to be far from the seat of government told our corresponden that everywhere was now calm.
“As we speak, I am sitting right in front of my house and everything is normal, it wasn’t like this earlier in the evening,” he said.
Also, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police in Kano, Magaji Majiya, said the force dispatched officers to scenes of the protests and that they had since restored order.
“At about 4 p.m. shortly after the announcement of the new emir, we received news of protests in some areas in Kano metropolis,” Majiya said.
“Our men were dispatched to the areas and they have restored peace. We urge all citizens to be law abiding and maintain the peace.”
Earlier, New Mail Nigeria had reported that supporters of Sanusi Ado Bayero had taken to the streets to protest the rejection of their preferred candidate.
A resident of the town, Ibrahim Hamisu, had told our correspondent that protesters set up bonfires using tyres around the Emirs’ palace, while another group of protesters marching to the Government House were stopped by armed soldiers and policemen who formed a barricade to stop them from getting near the seat of government.
Sources further said that the protesters were also destroying all government properties in sight, following an earlier announcement by the Secretary to the Government, Rabi’u Bichi, of the selection of Sanusi as the new emir of Kano following his recommendation by the kingmakers and approval by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
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