Eid-el-Kabir: Kano Police prohibits Durbar celebrations for security reasons

Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir, the Kano State Police Command has banned all Durbar activities and celebrations.

The police commissioner, Usaini Gumel, said in a statement on Thursday that the ban was necessary to maintain peace and prevent violence between rival factions in the Kano Emirateship.

He said: “In furtherance, a ban on all contending parties has been placed, restraining both from conducting Durbar activities for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.”

On May 23, 2024, the Kano State House of Assembly repealed the 2019 law that had divided the emirate into five smaller entities, effectively reinstating the original Kano emirate and abolishing the five emirates established by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, according to Persecondnews.

Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Lamido Sanusi, deposed in 2020, as the 16th Emir of Kano, in accordance with the recently enacted Kano State Emirate Council Law 2024.

However, the ousted Emir refused to recognize his removal and continued to assert his claim to the throne, operating from a separate palace.

Gumel encouraged worshippers to perform their customary Eid prayers at the designated prayer grounds, adhering to the traditional practices of previous years.

He said: “In this trying period, the police will enforce the existing court order, prevail on the two contending parties regarding the Kano Emirates tussle, and urge them to remain apart and respect the court order.”

The commissioner emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders to create a safer and more secure community.

He encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or objects to the nearest police station, fostering a collective effort to maintain peace and security.

The deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, recently instructed his District Heads to participate in the Sallah Durbar celebration, but the police command claims they did not receive a formal request from him to hold the event during the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.