Ribadu denies assisting Emir Ado Bayero back to Kano
By Innocent Raphael
The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has denied allegations that NSA boss Nuhu Ribadu facilitated the return of the dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, to Kano on Saturday.
Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam had claimed that Ribadu provided two aircraft for Ado Bayero’s return to the city at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday.
“The National Security Adviser gave two jets to bring the dethroned emir to Kano and to bring him to the palace,” the Deputy Governor stated.
However, speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, the NSA’s spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa, refuted the claim, asserting that Ribadu did not provide the aircraft for Ado Bayero’s return to Kano.
“I read the comments on social media; it is untrue. The NSA did not provide air transport to anyone to Kano. Political actors should desist from misinforming the public as law enforcement officials in the state strive to maintain peace and order,” Mijinyawa said.
He further urged politicians to be cautious with their statements to avoid jeopardizing the efforts of security agencies to maintain peace in the state.
The controversy arises amid political tensions following Governor Yusuf’s reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi, the 14th emir of Kano, four years after his removal by the previous administration of Abdullahi Ganduje.
The reinstatement came after the state’s Emirate Council Law 2019, which had created five emirate councils and five first-class emirs, was repealed.
Despite the reinstatement announcement on Thursday however, the Federal High Court has restrained the state government from implementing the new emirate council law that reinstated Sanusi.
On their part, security agencies in Kano have urged all parties involved to obey the court order and have pledged to maintain peace and order in the state.
