Kwankwaso Faults Police On Terror Alert, Urges Federal Government To Respect Kano’s Autonomy

Former Kano State governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the Federal Government to refrain from interfering in matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the Kano State Government.

Kwankwaso’s comments came in the wake of a recent terror alert issued by the Kano State Police Command, which he criticized as unnecessary and damaging to the state’s interests.

LEADERSHIP reports that the terror alert was issued less than 24 hours before the commencement of the annual Tijjaniya Maulud, a major religious event in the state. In response, heavy security was deployed, restricting access to the venue of the Maulud celebration.

The Kano State government swiftly opposed the police’s action, condemning the alert as baseless and unnecessary. They called for the withdrawal of the warning, which they deemed unfounded.

On his official X account on Monday, Kwankwaso congratulated the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order for successfully hosting the annual Maulud of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. He also praised the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, and the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, for organizing the event.

However, Kwankwaso expressed concern over the timing and content of the terror alert, which was issued just before the event. He argued that the alert not only threatened the success of the gathering but also created undue panic among the people of Kano, as well as the many visitors who had come from other parts of Nigeria and abroad.

“This alert not only jeopardized the success of the gathering, but put the lives of the people of the state at risk by creating palpable fear among the people of Kano, and those that came from other countries and parts of Nigeria,” Kwankwaso said.

The former governor criticized the police for issuing a baseless alert, which he noted turned out to be false. He cautioned that such actions could undermine public trust in the police.

“Issuing a threat alert of this magnitude, which later turns out to be false, sets a dangerous precedent. I am afraid that it will lead people to be complacent in the event of a genuine threat in the future,” he warned.

Kwankwaso also pointed out the negative international impact of the police’s actions, as the event attracted participants from across the globe. “Due to the international nature of the event, the conduct of the police leadership in Kano also leaves a bad impression of the Nigeria Police Force globally,” he stated.

He urged the police in Kano to maintain professionalism and avoid being seen as partisan in the state’s affairs. “I urge the Police Force in Kano to be professional and avoid being identified as deeply partisan in the affairs of Kano State and in other parts of the country,” he added.

Kwankwaso concluded by reiterating his call for the Federal Government to respect Kano’s autonomy and refrain from meddling in issues that are strictly under the purview of the state.

“For the umpteenth time, I also urge the Federal Government to avoid dragging itself into unpleasant situations by further putting its hands in affairs that are strictly under the jurisdiction of the good people of Kano State and its Government,” he emphasized.