Armed policemen on Tuesday sealed off the
residence of a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, located on
Lugard Road in Kano for 15 hours. The house is a few minutes’ drive away from
the Kano State Government House.
The house also serves as the headquarters of the
group loyal to the former governor popularly known as Kwankwasiyya.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr.
Rabiu Yusuf, who spoke through the command’s spokesman, Magaji Majiya, before
the siege was lifted said the action followed an intelligence report that
there was a plan to conduct a mass wedding in the house.
He said, “We have directed our men to seal the residence because of an
intelligence report that there is a plan to conduct mass wedding in the house.”
The News Agency of
Nigeria reported that the state Police Command had on August 18 banned a
mass wedding organised by a group loyal to Kwankwaso.
Majiya said in a
statement that the event was stopped because it coincided with the state
government’s planned empowerment programme slated for Aug. 20.
Majiya said, “The police
have banned the two ceremonies indefinitely as security Intelligence available
at our disposal revealed that some disgruntled elements are preparing to use
the occasions to cause havoc in the state.’’
He warned that the police
and other security agencies would not fold their arms to allow some people to
breach the peace in the state.
“Our primary
responsibility is to ensure peace, tranquillity, protection of lives and
property as well as maintenance of law and order,” the police spokesman said.
After the policemen
withdrew from the place, a handful of Kwankwaasiyya faithful were noticed
discussing in hushed tones.
The link roads to
Kwankwaso’s residence that were initially cordoned off had also been opened to
traffic.
As of the time of filing
this report, sources close to the Kwankwasiyya Movement, said the
withdrawal of the police officers was sequel to an alleged complaint made by
Kwankwaso to higher authorities over the rationale behind such an
action
...Punch
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