The Nigerian Army has replied those accusing it of bias in the emirship tussle in Kano State.
Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero are laying claim to be the emir, after Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated the first, following the repealing of the law that brought in Bayero.
But Bayero is staying put on the basis of a court order that restrained the governor from reinstating Sanusi.
Soldiers, alongside policemen and other security operatives, had immediately moved into Kano, making it clear that they are on the side of the court order.
Some civil society members, lawyers and some other stakeholders have criticised the army, accusing them of partiality.
But in a statement on Sunday night, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, said the army is not involved in the emirate tussle.
“Contrary to insinuations by the Kano state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association as published on 26 May 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano state emirate tussle and are not involved in enforcing any court order. They have only taken proactive steps to checkmate any possible breakdown or breach of the security that may be occasioned by the Kano Emirship tussle.
“The issue of paramount concern to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies is the prevention of breakdown of law and order in the state, which could be taken advantage of by adversarial non-state actors. The military would imminently intervene when it becomes apparent that the intensity of the security situation becomes overwhelming for the police.
“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.”
