Tension erupted in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State on Friday as police officers blocked the gates of the Bichi Emir’s palace ahead of the arrival of a newly appointed district head.
Eyewitnesses reported that security personnel directed village and ward heads, who had gathered to welcome the new royal figure, to leave the palace premises.
Amid rising concerns, the Chairman of Bichi Local Government Council, Alhaji Hamza Mai Fata, appealed for calm, urging residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
In a statement released on Friday, the local government’s Information Officer, Tasiu Jibo Dawanau, announced a rescheduling of the event initially planned by the Kano Emirate.
The statement added, “The area remains calm, and people are going about their normal business activities.”
The reasons behind the police blockade and the rescheduling of the event remain unclear at the time of reporting, as neither the Kano Emirate nor law enforcement authorities have issued an official statement.
In a related incident, security operatives also restricted access to the palace of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, barring him from attending a royal ceremony in Bichi Local Government Area.
Emir Sanusi II was expected to oversee the presentation of a staff of office to a newly appointed District Head in Bichi.