LAGOS JUNE 8TH (URHOBOTODAY) – The appointment of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as the new Emir of Kano ahead of the nominee of the Emirs Council, Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero, the first son of the deceased Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, has spurred protests on the streets of Kano.
Protesters have stormed the palace of the Emir of Kano and have barricaded the entrance.
They have also taken over Gwammaja, near Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Dan Agundi near the Rumfa College, and Ibrahim Taiwo Road, near Radio Kano.
Protesters have made bonfires around Kofar Nassarawa. The road to Government House from the former Silver jubilee roundabout has also been barricaded by irate youths.
The situation is tense, eyewitnesses revealed.
The youths have compelled car owners and commuters to carry fresh tree leaves in solidarity to their protests.
A car was set ablaze by the mob at former Silver Jubilee roundabout. The motorist whose car was torched declined to put leaves on his car and the mob reacted by burning it. Our reporter cannot confirm whether any life was lost as at the time of filing this report.
The state government has deployed security personnel to the area to disperse the protesters.
Witnesses disclosed that the streets of Kano are being deserted by residents as tension and anxiety envelops the city. There are bonfires and mob actions in top gear around ancient city, one witness said.
Security men had earlier stopped youths from entering the palace of the Emir of Kano after the government announced Lamido Sanusi as new emir.
There is however calm in Nassarawa GRA, another resident disclosed..