Sanusi links Kano violent protest to intelligence failure

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has fingered intelligence lapses on the part of security operatives for the violent attack and destruction of properties by hoodlums during the #EndBadGovernnace protest in the ancient city.

The monarch raised the concern yesterday while inspecting the multi-million Naira facilities damaged at Kano Printing Press during last Thursday’s rampage.

He regretted the level of destruction on one of the surviving government-owned printing hubs in Northern Nigeria, decrying the alleged inability of security personnel to forestall the mayhem amid prior notice.

He said: “Before this happened, the security operatives were notified in writing that there were signals of a possible attack on the printing press during the protest. But no action or precaution was taken to prevent it from happening. Unfortunately, it was allowed to happen.”

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor submitted that the looting and destruction were indicative of an organised plot to set Kano on fire.

He, however, believed that those who sponsored the violent protest would be exposed.

While inspecting the remains of the Industrial Digital Park, built by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Sanusi said the centre, designed to train about three million youths and generate job opportunities, was scheduled for commissioning yesterday.

He advised Kano youths to guard against enemies of progress that intend to use them for destructive agendas.

The Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Tajo Othman, pledged the government’s readiness to create an enabling environment for the rehabilitation of the digital hub.

He said the government had received assurances from the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Olabosun Tijani, to rebuild the park.