One Kano Agenda, a non-profit organisation, has called on the Federal Government to launch a full-scale investigation into the sudden withdrawal of the Kano Police Command from the 65th Independence Day parade in the state.
Director-General of the group, Mr Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai, made the call on Thursday in Kano while briefing newsmen on what he described as the “sabotage” of the celebration.
He said the police withdrawal barely 30 minutes before the ceremony commenced, an action he said singled out Kano for humiliation while other states held their parades without disruption.
According to him, the sudden pullout raised suspicion of political interference and undermined the dignity of both the state and the symbolic significance of Independence Day.
“This withdrawal, under unclear and suspicious directives, was more than a logistical setback; it was an affront to the spirit of independence itself. While every other state held its celebration in full, Kano’s was disrupted,” Yakasai said.
The group alleged that the incident was not isolated, pointing to what it described as repeated attempts to destabilise Kano through interference in cultural and social activities.
It urged the Federal Government to open a thorough investigation into the matter and hold accountable those behind the directive, stressing that security institutions must not be dragged into political conflicts.
“One Kano Agenda believes that only a transparent probe will restore confidence in security agencies and ensure that national celebrations remain above politics,” Yakasai added.
The organisation also called on the government to guarantee that all states can commemorate Independence Day with dignity and security in future.
It further appealed to citizens, especially youths, not to allow themselves to be manipulated into division or violence, stressing that Kano’s resilience during the disrupted celebration showed the true spirit of independence.
Yakasai commended residents who went ahead with the anniversary despite the setback, noting that “the determination of a people never to be broken is the real meaning of independence.”
He reaffirmed that One Kano Agenda would continue to defend peace, unity, and the dignity of the state while speaking out against actions that threaten Nigeria’s collective pride