Controversial Police Move: Peterside Slams Invitation To Sanusi, Questions Government Intentions

Reports indicate that the Emir was summoned for questioning regarding a Sallah Day incident that resulted in the death of a palace guard. The police invited Sanusi to appear before the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja on April 8, 2025, concerning the March 30 stabbing at the Kofar Mata Eid Ground, which disrupted the Eid celebrations in Kano. The incident left one palace guard dead and several others injured.

In response to the invitation, Peterside took to X, questioning the rationale behind summoning a traditional ruler from Kano for an issue that occurred within his jurisdiction.

He wrote, “What is the police trying to turn Nigeria into? Has Nigeria become a police state? Is there no legitimate question that the Commissioner of Police in Kano can’t ask the Emir on behalf of his Abuja superiors?”

Peterside referred to cross-state police summons as a form of “harassment” that has no place in the modern era.

Echoing similar concerns, human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu warned that the police action might be politically motivated and could lead to destabilization.

“It seems some individuals are intent on using the police to stir up conflict in Kano at all costs,” he cautioned.