At least 27 individuals have been arrested following a violent uprising in Rano Local Government Area of Kano State, where enraged youths set fire to the Rano Divisional Police Headquarters and beat the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP M.A. Baba, to death.
The chaos erupted after allegations surfaced that the DPO had arrested and tortured a suspect, Abdullahi Musa, a local motorcycle mechanic, leading to his death.
According to eyewitnesses, the angry mob stormed the police station in protest, torching the facility and several vehicles, while brutally assaulting the DPO, who later died from his injuries at the hospital.
“He was accused of torturing a suspect who later died. That’s what sparked the outrage,” a community source explained.
Confirming the incident, Kano State Police Command spokesperson SP Abdullahi Kiyawa issued a statement on Monday detailing the sequence of events. He stated that Musa, suspected of reckless riding under the influence of substances, was arrested on May 25, 2025, around 8:15 pm. While in custody, he reportedly began to show signs of weakness and was rushed to the Rano General Hospital, where he died the following morning.
In retaliation, “some miscreants mobilized and attacked the Rano Police Division, looting and setting parts of the station and two vehicles on fire, vandalizing ten others, and severely injuring the DPO,” the statement said.
CSP M.A. Baba was later taken to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
“The situation has now been brought under control, and normalcy has returned,” Kiyawa said, adding that 27 suspects linked to the violence have been arrested.
Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Bakori, has since visited the scene and paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Rano, His Highness Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Isah Umar (Autan Bawo 19). He ordered a full-scale and transparent investigation to uncover the root causes of the incident and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.
The command extended its condolences to the family of the slain officer, hailing his sacrifice in the line of duty.
“We urge the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed unhindered. The police remain committed to preserving peace and public order across the state,” the statement concluded.
