A part of the palace of Muhammadu Sanusi, the 16th Emir of Kano, has been gutted by fire in Gidan Rumfa.
The incident occurred on Friday night at around 11 p.m., raising concerns about the security and safety of the historic palace.
According to palace insiders, the offenders forced open a door, set it on fire, and then shut it, causing extensive damage to the throne, air conditioners, and other valuables.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Kano State Fire Service reported they were not informed, as no calls were received at their stations.
Munir Sanusi Bayero, the Emir’s Chief of Staff, issued a statement confirming the incident.
“On Saturday morning, July 13, 2024, a fire broke out in the outer court of the Palace, Kofar Kudu. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the damage was limited,” Bayero stated.
He stated that the royal administration is taking steps to assure the occupants’ safety and security, as well as examining the cause of the fire to prevent similar accidents in the future.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of everyone in the palace and will take all necessary steps to prevent such occurrences in the future,” according to him.
The Emir holds court every Monday at the affected portion of the palace, which is located in Kofar Kudu.
The incident disrupted normal operations and emphasised the need for stronger security measures. Authorities are seeking that anyone with information about the fire come forward as the investigation proceeds.