Nigerian army explains role in Kano’s ‘Game of Thrones’ dispute

The Nigerian Army has clarified its presence during the intense emirate dispute in Kano over the weekend. The sight of soldiers at the Nassarawa palace, where dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero entered, sparked allegations of bias, likened to a real-life ‘Game of Thrones.’

Over the weekend, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, stated that the troops were not involved in the emirate conflict or enforcing any court orders. Their presence was solely to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order.

“Contrary to claims by the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, as reported by Premium Times on May 26, 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano state emirate dispute and are not enforcing any court order,” Nwachukwu said.

“They are only taking steps to prevent any possible security issues arising from the Kano Emirship conflict.”

The Major General emphasized that the Army’s main concern is to prevent any disruption of peace that could be exploited by harmful groups.

He assured that the military is monitoring the situation and will support the police if the security situation worsens.

“The military will step in if it becomes clear that the police cannot handle the situation. For now, the Army is monitoring the situation and is ready to act if the conflict threatens the security of the state and region,” he added.

This statement aims to clear up misunderstandings and confirm the Army’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Kano during this tense period, drawing comparisons to a modern-day ‘Game of Thrones.’