The Nigerian Army has reacted to reports by some media platforms that its men were directly involved in the ongoing Kano emirate tussle.
The news, Politics Nigeria understands, emanated from the Kano state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
On Thursday, a Federal High Court in Kano issued an ex-parte order, preventing Governor Abba Yusuf from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The court also halted the implementation of a new law that abolished the four emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.
Despite the court order, Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Sanusi as Emir of Kano, arguing that the judge who issued the order was not physically present in Nigeria to issue it.
Some news platforms then reported that the Army had been used in enforcing the court order to prevent Sanusi from being reinstalled.
In a statement by its spokesperson Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army denied any involvement in the tussle.
Nwachukwu noted that the army’s only role was to ensure that there was no breach in security.
“Contrary to insinuations by the Kano state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association as published by Premium Times on 26 May 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano state emirate tussle and are not involved in enforcing any court order,” he said.
“They have only taken proactive steps to checkmate any possible breakdown or breach of the security that may be occasioned by the Kano Emirship tussle.
“The issue of paramount concern to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies is the prevention of breakdown of law and order in the state, which could be taken advantage of by adversarial non-state actors.”
The military said it would intervene when it becomes apparent that the intensity of the security situation becomes overwhelming for the police.
“All the Army is doing at this stage is to monitor the situation as it unfolds and be on standby in the event of any escalation that could threaten the security of the state and the region in general.”
