A senior police officer in Kano State has died following a violent mob attack on a police station in Rano Local Government Area, sparked by the death of a suspect in police custody.
The officer, identified as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) M.A. Baba, sustained fatal injuries during the assault on the Rano Divisional Police Headquarters. He was rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital but succumbed to his wounds while receiving treatment.
According to a statement issued by the Kano State Police Command, the incident began on the evening of Sunday, May 25, 2025, when officers arrested a local motorcycle mechanic, Abdullahi Musa, after complaints of reckless riding. The police allege that Musa appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of his arrest.
The statement read in part:
“The suspect was taken into custody and later showed signs of weakness, prompting his being rushed to Rano General Hospital, where he unfortunately passed away on 26th May 2025, at about 06:00am, while receiving treatment.”
News of Musa’s death triggered a violent reaction from members of the community. By Sunday night, a mob had gathered outside the police station, blaming the DPO for Musa’s arrest and subsequent death. The protest quickly descended into chaos as the crowd forced its way into the station, looted property, and set parts of the building ablaze.
In addition to vandalizing the facility, the mob torched two vehicles, destroyed at least ten others, and brutally attacked DPO Baba. He was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, visited the scene of the unrest on Monday and described the incident as a tragic loss for the force. He also met with the Emir of Rano, His Highness Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Isah Umar (Autan Bawo 19), to offer condolences.
Bakori condemned the violence and assured the public of a thorough investigation into the events leading to both deaths.
“The Command while commiserating with the family of the deceased DPO that paid the supreme price in active service, has ordered a comprehensive and transparent investigation to identify the remote and immediate causes of the incidents and bring those responsible for any wrongdoing to justice,” the police said.
Police confirmed that 27 suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the unrest, adding that normalcy has been restored in the area.
The death of DPO M.A. Baba marks a sobering moment in the state’s security history, raising fresh concerns over the relationship between law enforcement and local communities, as well as the conditions surrounding deaths in police custody.
