By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
The Army Headquarters in Abuja has refuted allegations of partisanship in the Kano State emirate dispute. The army clarified that its personnel stationed in various parts of the state were not engaged in the enforcement of any court orders but were deployed to uphold law and order.
In a statement issued late Sunday night, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated: “Contrary to the implications made by the Kano state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association as reported by Premium Times on 26 May 2024, Nigerian Army troops have not been entangled in the Kano state emirate conflict and are not tasked with enforcing court orders. Their actions have been preemptive measures aimed at preventing any potential security breaches arising from the Kano Emirship dispute.”
The statement reiterated that the army’s principal objective is to prevent any breakdown of law and order in the state that could be exploited by hostile non-state entities. Military intervention would only be considered in the event that the security situation overwhelms the capabilities of the police force.
The army is presently monitoring the situation closely and remains ready to respond should any escalation occur that poses a threat to the security of the state and the wider region.