The Zamfara Police Command has beefed up security around the Emir of Shinkafi, Alhaji Muhammad Makwashi, to forestall breakdown of law and order.
The command Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu, who made this known in Gusau on Sunday, said this was done since Friday.
The emir came under fire from some chieftaincy holders and residents of Shinkafi over the recent traditional title of Sadaukin (Defender) given to former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, by the emirate council.
However, the police spokesman said the emirate council learned that some people were planning to lead a demonstration within Shinkafi.
“The emirate wrote to the Police Command seeking protection and to avert any breakdown of law and order which is what we did as a security outfit.
“We also deployed our patrol teams throughout Shinkafi so that peace and order can be maintained because the Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Nagogo has always warned people from taking the law into their own hands.
“If anyone has grudges against any other person or persons, there are established legal channels to take such grudges to, including going to the courts but we will not allow anyone to cause any trouble,” Shehu explained.
He reiterated that what was happening in Shinkafi was not ‘house arrest’ of the emir as being speculated but protection for the emir.
A close associate of the emirate council, Alhaji Murtala Dale, also said “we suspected moves by some miscreants to attack the emir while on his way for Friday prayers which was why we requested the police for protection.
“You see all these are coming as a result of the recent traditional title given to Femi Fani-Kayode by the emir which some people condemned,” he said.
It was observed that critics of the title were not happy with several comments against the North, northerners, Hausa/Fulani, Islam, and the Sultanate which they alleged were attributed to the former minister.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK