Suspected thugs and residents clashed on Tuesday at the disbanded emir’s palace in Rano Local Government Area of Kano State. The situation escalated into serious chaos, forcing the interim chairman of the local government council, Professor Dahiru Yakubu Rano, and the representative of the reinstated 16thEmir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to flee.

According to a resident and eyewitness, Naziru Salisu Mato, whose motorcycle was destroyed in the crisis, thugs had been present at the palace for the past few days, creating tension and insecurity in the area, which the residents found unacceptable.

“The thugs were brought some days ago and they took charge of the palace security, but we did not agree with that because the palace already had security guarding it. Things went violent today after the interim chairman came along with the Emir’s representative trying to take him to the palace. The residents tried to stop that and that’s when the thugs started attacking people and chasing them away. After some time, the residents gained courage and stormed the streets, going after these thugs, the chairman, and the representative. Finally, they succeeded in chasing them away. Unknowingly, some of them had taken positions in hidden places, and when things appeared to be calm, they attacked people again. I myself was chased while I was riding, and my motorcycle was destroyed with a machete,” Mato said.

It was further gathered that many vehicles were destroyed, especially at the LGA secretariat.

Daily Trust reports that the residents, under the umbrella of the Concerned Citizens of Rano Emirate, had raised the alarm over the occupation of arms-carrying hoodlums at the headquarters of the emirate on Sunday.

In a letter written to the state police commissioner, the residents stated that hoodlums had been camped at the emir’s palace since Sunday by yet-to-be-identified persons. The letter highlighted that the motives of these armed individuals remain unknown, and their presence is considered a threat to the security of life and property. (Daily Trust)