The police have taken over the security of the main palace of the Emir of Kano, where local hunters had been guarding the reinstated Sanusi Lamido.
The hunters, known locally as 'Yan Tauri,' were deployed from across the state to the palace following rumors that federal authorities planned to relocate Aminu Ado Bayero amidst the emirship tussle.
Alhaji Ado-Bayero, who was removed by the state government last month, is now guarded by federal security agents at the Nasarawa mini palace.
On Sunday evening, a team of security agents took control of the main emir’s palace, Gidan Rumfa, where the hunters had been playing card games and engaging in other activities.
The police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Kiyawa, could not be immediately reached for comment. However, a security source at the palace confirmed the removal of the hunters.
"Did you need me to tell you that they (hunters) are no longer here? You can see it yourself; everyone has found his way," a police officer at the palace said.
Residents reported that the hunters withdrew from the palace between Saturday and Sunday morning following a court ruling that invalidated the reappointment of Sanusi as emir on Thursday. Some hunters left behind their machetes to conceal their identity after being asked to vacate the palace or face the security agents' wrath.
It would be recalled that the court voided Sanusi's reappointment and ordered the state government to halt the implementation of the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024. Judge Abdullahi Liman ruled that the reappointment of Sanusi was null and void because the government disobeyed the court’s earlier order restraining it from taking further action on the new emirate council law.
