Mohamed Garba
Angry youths in Rano, a town in Kano State, set part of the local police station ablaze on Monday following the death of a young man, Abdullahi Musa, while in police custody.
Musa, who was arrested on Sunday over an alleged traffic offence, reportedly died during interrogation. His death sparked immediate outrage among residents, escalating into a protest that quickly turned violent.
Witnesses said what began as a peaceful demonstration outside the Rano Divisional Police Station took a destructive turn after news of Musa’s death spread. Protesters damaged parts of the police station and set vehicles on fire. Photos from the scene show smouldering wreckage and shattered windows.
The situation reportedly intensified when officers allegedly opened fire on the crowd, injuring two young men. The injuries added fuel to the unrest, drawing more people to the scene and deepening the community’s anger.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, said only part of the station was damaged. “It was part of the police station that was destroyed by the protesters,” he said.
In response to the unrest, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, and the Chairman of Rano Local Government Area, Mallam Mohammed Naziru Ya’u, visited the scene to assess the damage and calm tensions.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, alongside the Chairman of Rano LGA, conducted an on-the-spot assessment visit following the unfortunate incident,” Haruna said.
The police have not yet released an official statement on the cause of Musa’s death or whether any officers involved in the interrogation will face investigation.
As night fell over Rano, residents remained uneasy, with many demanding accountability and transparency in the handling of the case. Community leaders have called for calm, urging authorities to ensure justice is served.