The Nigerian Army has categorically denied allegations of involvement in the ongoing power tussle within the Kano Emirate. Addressing the press, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, refuted claims made by the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, as reported by Premium Times on May 26, 2024.
“Contrary to insinuations, troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano state emirate tussle,” Nwachukwu stated. He clarified that the army is not enforcing any court orders but is closely monitoring the situation to prevent any potential security breaches that might arise from the Emirship conflict.
The primary concern of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies is to maintain law and order in the state, ensuring that the situation is not exploited by adversarial non-state actors. Nwachukwu emphasised that the military’s role is to act as a safeguard, stepping in only if the security situation escalates beyond the control of the police.
“Our current actions are limited to monitoring the developments and being on standby,” he explained. “We are prepared to intervene if necessary, but our goal is to prevent any escalation that could threaten the security of the state and the region.”
The Army’s focus remains on preventing chaos and ensuring the safety and stability of Kano State during this period of heightened tension.