Emir of Kano, Sons fly to UK

SHOCK and indignation ruled the mood of Nigerians Sunday as they reacted to the attack on the Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero who has been flown abroad for medical attention.
The monarch who escaped an attack on his convoy shortly after an Islamic function at Tudun Murtala, near Zoo road in Kano was flown abroad at 1.30 p.m. from the Mallam Aminu International Airport, Kano on a charter flight operated by Barbedos Group Airline yesterday. It was learnt that the Presidency offered an aircraft for the trip that was rejected by the emirate.
Six persons who lost their lives in the attack included the emir’s driver, Interim Management Officer of Kumbotso local council, Alhaji Salisu Abdullahai Kura and four emirate guards.
Two sons of the emir also sustained injuries.
The Guardian learnt that Bayero, 83, was flown to the United Kingdom alongside his two injured sons for proper medical treatment after a congregational prayer was held against the prevailing insecurity at the Kano Central mosque.
However, Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who paid the emir a sympathy visit at his palace shortly after the incident, disclosed that the emir was in good health.
A source from the emirate said the emir’s trip was not occasioned by the attack as prior plans had been concluded by the monarch to embark on his routine check-up abroad.
Saturday’s convoy attack was indicative of the prevailing insecurity in the North. But the first attempt on the life of the Emir of Kano was in July 2010.
The monarch narrowly escaped being shot by a lone gunman during the Juma’at prayer at the Central Mosque.
After an investigation by the security operatives, it was discovered that the suspect, a 19-year-old man, was acting on the instruction of another person to murder the emir.
Bayero also received a notice of intention to attack his palace in 2011 by unknown gunmen.
The National Leader, Action Congress of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has described the attack on Bayero and his convoy as most condemnable and unfortunate.