Emir of Rano bans church activities in homes

February 12, 2025

By Olaniyi Akinola

Tensions are rising in Kano, Nigeria, after the Emir of Rano, Ambassador Muhammad Isa Umaru, imposed a strict ban on church activities inside residential buildings within the Emirate.

This directive follows a surge of petitions from concerned residents, prompting the Emir to establish a special investigative committee.

The committee’s findings revealed that a church in Yadi Quarters, Rano town, was conducting services in a residential house without adhering to proper legal procedures.

Despite the Emirate being home to 27 certified churches where Christians worship freely, unauthorized worship in residential buildings sparked discontent among locals, leading to formal complaints.

Acting on the committee’s report, the Emir swiftly ordered an immediate halt to all church activities in residential buildings to prevent any potential breach of peace.

Committee Secretary, Alhaji Umar Isa Sarki, stated that multiple petitions raised concerns over the legality of the services being held in private homes.

The ban has sparked mixed reactions, with some arguing that it is an infringement on religious freedom, while others see it as a necessary measure to maintain peace and order in the Emirate. Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Kano chapter chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.