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 about 11 p.m., raising concerns about the historic palace’s security and safety.
According to palace insiders, the offenders pushed 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 said they were not informed because no calls were received at its stations.
Munir Sanusi Bayero, the Emir’s Chief of Staff, issued a statement confirming the occurrence.
“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 impacted section of the palace, located in Kofar Kudu, is where the Emir holds court every Monday. The event disrupted daily activity and highlighted the need for increased security measures.
Authorities are requesting anyone with information on the fire to come forward as the investigation continues.