Kano Demolition: Emir Sanusi Urges Peace, Patience
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called for peace and patience among residents of Rimin Zakara town, following a bloody unrest over a land dispute between the inhabitants and Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Sanusi made the appeal during a visit to the area upon his return from pilgrimage.
He expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the clash and prayed for speedy recovery of those injured during the incident.
“We must pray for the souls of the deceased and for strength for their families to bear this loss. May this be the last of such tragic incident in our community,” he said.
He urged residents of the demolition site to exercise restraint and allow due legal processes to take their course, emphasizing that violence only resulted in more sufferings.
“When violence erupts, it is our own people who suffer. No amount of destruction or bloodshed will resolve the issue. We must work together to protect lives and property,” the Emir said.
He acknowledged the complexity of the land dispute, which he said had lingered for years, noting that both the community and the university claimed legal ownership of the land in dispute.
He stressed the need for evidence-based resolution through the courts and a collective dialogue with the relevant authorities.
“This matter should not be complicated. If the case is in court, it must be resolved with clear evidence. We must sit down with all the concerned parties to find a lasting solution to the problem,” Sanusi said.
He announced plans to set up a committee that would include representatives of all stakeholders, including the State Government, BUK management, security agencies, and community leaders, to address the issue.
“We will engage the Governor, BUK authorities, and security officials to ensure justice is done. However, if you have sold your land and received compensation, you must accept the reality,” he said.
The Emir urged the residents to prioritize peace and unity, stressing that no land or property is worth the loss of human life.
“The life of one individual is more valuable than the entire world. We must work together to ensure such tragedies never happen again. Justice will prevail, and Allah is always with those who stand for the truth,” he said.
Recall that a combined team of security operatives allegedly opened fire, killing four persons and injuring several others during the demolition of the buildings illegally erected on the disputed land,on Sunday.
The State Government had through the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Wayya, responded to the killings, saying a committee would be set up to investigate the matter.
