Emir of Rano, Ambassador Muhammad Isa Umaru

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Following a series of petitions from residents, the Emir of Rano, Ambassador Muhammad Isa Umaru, has banned church activities inside residential buildings within the Emirate.

The ban by the Royal Father was sequel to a report  by a Committee set up by the Emir to investigate the issue.

Our Correspondent reports that in Rano Emirate, there are about 27 certified churches of different denominations, where Christians worship without molestation.

But worshipping in residential houses raised concern, as residents who were not comfortable with the development petitioned the Emir.

The Emir, however, inaugurated a Committee to investigate the issue, based on which report he decided to ban further church activities in residential houses to avoid breach of the peace.

Our Correspondent reports that findings by the Committee revealed that  there was a church conducting service in a residential building  at Yadi Quarters, Rano town, without following the proper legal processes.

According to the Secretary of the  Committee, Alhaji Umar Isa Sarki,  “the petitions from various members of the public raised concerns about the unauthorized church services being conducted at the residential building.”

However,  upon receiving the Committee’s report, the Emir directed that the church be stopped from conducting services in the residential house with immediate effect.

Our Correspondent made efforts to get the views of the chairman of  the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kano chapter, but could not reach him as at the time of filling this report.