Amid public uproar and criticism, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the invitation of Muhammadu Sanusi II for investigations into an “incident that occurred during Sallah Celebration” at the palace.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the Nigerian Police, in a statement on Sunday announced the withdrawal of the invitation sent to the monarch less than 24 hours after it was reported and became a trending issue in the media space.

“The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn its earlier invitation extended to Alhaji Sanusi in connection with the unfortunate incident that occurred in Kano State during the Sallah celebration on March 30, 2025. The invitation was initially issued to enable Alhaji Sanusi to provide his account of the events that led to the breakdown of law and order in the state,” Mr Adejobi said.

The police spokesperson said the invitation was withdrawn “following advice from respected stakeholders and in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted, the IGP has directed that the invitation be withdrawn. Instead, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) have been mandated on the instructions of the IGP to proceed to Kano to obtain Alhaji Sanusi’s statement.”

The police blamed Mr Sanusi for a fight that broke out on Sallah day, despite a police warning against the Sallah Durbar in the state prior to the celebration.

“Alhaji Sanusi who had attended the Eid Prayers in his car, decided to mount a horse in a procession after Eid Prayers on Sallah Day, accompanied by local vigilantes. This triggered a confrontation by youths in the community, leading to the tragic death of one Usman Sagiru, and leaving several others injured. A situation which the Force had earlier warned against and intended to avert by the emissaries sent earlier to both Alhaji Sanusi and Alhaji Ado Bayero,” Mr Adejobi said.

This comes less than 24 hours after Peoples Gazette, on Saturday, reported that Mr Sanusi was invited to Abuja for investigations by the Nigerian police.

In a letter addressed to Mr Sanusi and dated April 4, the emir was “invited to Force Intelligence Department, opposite Police Force Headquarters, Area 11, Abuja, on April 8” with regard to an “incident” that happened at the palace during the last Sallah celebration.

“I have the directives of the Inspector General of Police, through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), to invite you for an investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain,” the letter seen by *Peoples Gazette* on Saturday reads.

It added, “In view of the above, you are hereby invited to Force Intelligence Department, opposite Police Force Headquarters, Area 11, Abuja, by 1000hrs of Tuesday, 8th of April, 2025. Your availability is highly sought for a purposeful investigation.”