Police React As Youths Attack Division Over Suspect’s Death

Angry youths in Rano town, Kano State, have set fire to a building within the Rano Police Divisional Headquarters following the reported death of a suspect, Abdullahi Musa, while in police custody.

The unrest broke out on Monday after Musa, who was arrested on Sunday for a traffic-related offence, allegedly died during police interrogation.

Tensions escalated when officers from the division allegedly fired live rounds at protesting youths, injuring two people, which further fueled the community’s outrage.

According to residents, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rano has gained notoriety for allegedly using corporal punishment on his officers in public, a practice they said has contributed to growing resentment within the community.

Following the outrage, youths reportedly attempted to raze the police station.

Speaking to THE WHISTLER, the Kano State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, downplayed the extent of the destruction.

“The incident is not true; they tried to burn the divisional headquarters, but they didn’t burn the main headquarters. They just set ablaze a building by the side, not even attached to the headquarters,” Kiyawa said.

In an earlier post on his official Facebook page, Kiyawa promised that the incident would be thoroughly investigated.

“What’s happening in Rano town. The necessary measures will be taken to investigate by the grace of God.

“Incident in Rano, thorough investigation will be conducted by the Grace of God,” he wrote in Hausa, translated into English.

The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, and the Chairman of Rano Local Government Area, Mohammed Naziru Ya’u, have visited the community and the affected division.

The CP noted that their visit aims to ease the tensions and prevent further violence as the police begin investigation into the incident surrounding Musa’s death and the ensuing violence.

Police React As Youths Attack Division Over Suspect’s Death is first published on The Whistler Newspaper