The Emir of Rano, Ambassador Muhammad Isa Umaru, has reportedly imposed a strict ban on conducting church activities within residential properties throughout the Rano Emirate.
This decision was prompted by numerous petitions from concerned residents regarding unauthorized religious gatherings in private homes.
Following the complaints, the Emir established a special investigative committee to examine the situation.
The committee’s findings revealed that a church in Yadi Quarters, Rano town, was holding services in a residential house without adhering to the necessary legal procedures.
This practice led to discontent among locals, culminating in formal grievances submitted to the Emirate Council.
Acting on the committee’s recommendations, the Emir ordered an immediate cessation of all church-related activities in residential buildings to prevent potential breaches of peace.
Alhaji Umar Isa Sarki, the committee’s secretary, emphasized that the directive aims to maintain harmony within the community by ensuring that all religious activities are conducted in legally recognized venues.
The Rano Emirate currently hosts 27 certified churches where Christians can worship freely without interference.
The recent ban specifically targets unauthorized services in private residences, not the officially recognized places of worship.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Kano State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
The directive has elicited mixed reactions within the community, with some residents supporting the move to uphold legal and social order, while others express concerns over potential restrictions on religious freedom.
Ambassador Muhammad Isa Umaru was appointed as the Emir of Rano in October 2024 by Governor Abba Yusuf.
His appointment followed the re-establishment of the Rano Emirate as a second-class emirate under the Kano Emirate.
