A devastating fire broke out at Gidan Rumfa, the palace of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, on Friday night around 11 pm, ravaging a portion of the historic building.
The incident has sparked concerns about the security and safety of the palace.
According to sources within the palace, the fire was allegedly set by unknown perpetrators who forced open a door, locked it, and set the fire, causing substantial damage to the throne, air conditioners, and other valuable items.
Surprisingly, the Kano State Fire Service reported that they did not receive any calls or notifications about the incident, despite its severity.
But the Chief of Staff to the Emir, Munir Sanusi Bayero, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“A fire incident occurred at the outer court of the Palace, Kofar Kudu, on Saturday morning, July 13, 2024. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the damage was minimal,” Bayero said.
He said the palace administration is taking measures to ensure the safety and security of the occupants and is investigating the cause of the fire to prevent future incidents.
“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,” he assured.
The affected section of the palace, located at Kofar Kudu, is where the Emir holds court every Monday. The incident has disrupted regular activities and brought to light the need for enhanced security measures.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the fire to come forward as investigations continue.
