Tensions flared in Rano, Kano State, on Monday, May 26, 2025, after a young man, Abdullahi Musa, died in police custody. The incident sparked violent protests, with enraged youths setting part of the Rano Divisional Police Station ablaze and damaging several vehicles.
According to eyewitness accounts, Musa was arrested by police officers on Sunday for allegedly committing a traffic offence. He was taken into custody for interrogation but tragically died while in detention.
Initially, residents gathered peacefully in front of the police station to protest Musa’s death. However, the situation escalated when tensions boiled over. Protesters began damaging property, eventually setting parts of the police station on fire and destroying multiple vehicles parked on the premises.
The chaos intensified when police reportedly opened fire to disperse the crowd, injuring two young men in the process. The shooting further inflamed tempers, worsening the unrest.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, acknowledged that a section of the police station had been damaged during the protest. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, had promptly visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment alongside the Chairman of Rano Local Government Area, Mallam Mohammed Naziru Ya’u.
“The Commissioner of Police and the Local Government Chairman visited Rano Divisional Headquarters to assess the damages and understand the circumstances that led to the unfortunate death and subsequent protest,” Haruna said.
Authorities have not yet released a statement detailing the cause of Musa’s death or whether any police officers involved in his detention will be investigated. The police command, however, indicated that calm had been restored to the area by late Monday evening.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about police brutality and the treatment of suspects in custody. Human rights advocates are calling for an independent inquiry into the matter to ensure transparency and accountability.
As of now, no arrests have been confirmed in connection with the protest, and the families of the injured protesters are reportedly receiving medical care.
The Kano State Police Command has urged residents to remain calm while assuring the public that steps are being taken to investigate the matter thoroughly. Meanwhile, many in the community are mourning the loss of Abdullahi Musa and calling for justice in what they see as yet another case of excessive force and custodial negligence.
