A fire outbreak occurred at the palace of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi, situated at Gidan Rumfa, reportedly on Friday night around 11 pm. The incident, allegedly ignited by unidentified individuals, caused significant damage to the section of the palace known as Kofar Kudu, where the Emir traditionally holds court sessions every Monday.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the perpetrators forcibly entered the palace, set the fire, and subsequently locked the door behind them. This deliberate act resulted in the destruction of the throne, air conditioning units, and other valuable items housed within the palace’s premises.
“It was the palace at Kofar Kudu. You know the palace has an entrance from inside while the main entrance is from the front (outside). The key was forced open, and what was suspected was that they broke in, set the fire and locked the door.
“The throne, air conditioners and other valuables in the palace have been destroyed,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, Dan Buram Kano, Chief of Staff to Emir Sanusi, issued a statement on Saturday morning detailing that fortunately, no injuries were reported and the damage was contained to the outer court of the palace at Kofar Kudu. He reassured the public that comprehensive measures are being implemented to enhance the palace’s security protocols and ensure the safety of its occupants. Additionally, an investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the fire and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
He said, “On Saturday, July 13, 2024, morning, a fire incident occurred at the outer court of His Highness’s Palace, Kofar Kudu. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the damage was minimal.
“The palace is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the palace and its occupants. We are also investigating the cause of the fire and taking steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.”