On Sunday, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II presided over the traditional Sallah Durbar in Kano State, following the Eid prayer and sermon at the Kofar Mata Jumu’at Mosque.

Heavy rainfall had necessitated the relocation of the prayer from the usual Eid ground to the mosque.

The event was attended by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and several cabinet members. Security was tight, with a combined team of forces ensuring safety.

In a customary display, Emir Sanusi rode back to his palace, pausing along the way to accept greetings from citizens and various groups.

This year’s Durbar took place despite an earlier ban by the Kano State Police Command, which had prohibited Sallah festivities following a joint security meeting.

Governor Yusuf publicly disagreed with the police’s decision, stating he had not been consulted.

The Kano State Government criticized the police for not adhering to the Governor’s directives.

At a press conference, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Haruna Isah Dederi condemned the police command’s unilateral decision to ban the festivities, questioning the undermining of the Governor’s authority as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

He said, “I am compelled to ask the question: who is usurping the authority of the Commander-in-Chief. Because some people are dishing out directives to security chiefs in the State so much so that the State Police Commissioner without any consultation with the Chief Security Officer of the State or approval from the State Security Council had issued an order banning Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Kano State.”

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, extended his warm greetings to Muslim faithful as they celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In a statement issued by Tanko Yusuf, the Spokesman for the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council, Obi urged Muslims to find strength in the teachings of Prophet Ibrahim.

He emphasized the importance of unwavering trust in Allah, courage, and a willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good, qualities exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

Obi expressed his hope that the celebration would bring the community closer to Allah and inspire unity and devotion among all believers.

Obi’s message read in part, “My dear Muslim brothers and sisters, as we gather to celebrate Eid-al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you all.

“May this Sallah bring us all closer to Allah, to one another, and our true potential as individuals and as a nation.

“Amid challenges and uncertainties, let us draw strength from our faith and the teachings of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).

“His unwavering trust in Allah, his courage, and his willingness to sacrifice for the greater good are objects of inspiration to us all. As we celebrate, let us strive to be a source of hope, comfort, and support to those around us.

“May Allah accept our prayers, our fasting, and our charity and May He grant us the wisdom to walk in His path, the courage to stand for what is right, and the grace to be a blessing to our communities.”

In the early hours of Sunday, suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on Dudun Doki village in Sokoto State.

The assault, which took place around 1:30 am in the Gwadabawa local government area, resulted in the deaths of over ten villagers and the abduction of numerous others.

More to follow……..