THE Police Command in Kano State has stated that the Eid celebration is peaceful with no threats to lives or property.
The Police Command expressed satisfaction with the calm and orderly conduct of Eid prayers across the state.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the state commissioner of police, Hussaini Gumel said on Sunday, June 16 that he was happy with the peaceful and orderly behaviour of all Kano residents.
Gumel praised the residents for their calm conduct at various prayer grounds, both within and outside the Kano metropolis.
“Reports from all the 44 Local Government Areas have indicated a peaceful atmosphere with no threats to lives or property,” Gumel who has just been promoted to Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) said.
There had been concerns about potential confrontations in the Northwest state of Kano amidst the ongoing struggle for the emirship seat, which began when the state administration led by Abba Yusuf deposed the five emirs and restored Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Substantive Emir.
The Abdullahi Ganduje administration had earlier deposed Sanusi and named Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir.
Ganduje increased the number of Emirates to five by creating four more.
However, Sanusi was allowed to return as the head of the reunited Kano Emirate on May 23 when the State House of Assembly overturned the Emirates Council Law and removed all five emirs.
Since then the two leaders Bayero and Sanusi have taken the issue to court, each claiming the throne.
The matter has been pending in court, as both the state High Court and a Federal High Court in the state have issued conflicting orders on the matter.
The impasse has remained unresolved for nearly four weeks after.
To prevent a fight between their respective supporters, Gumel declared on Friday, June 14 that the rival emirs should pray at different mosques.
The ICIR reported that the current emirship crisis in Kano has made many residents wonder which of the two embattled emirs will lead the Durbar festival.
The ICIR also reported that the Police Command on Thursday, June 13, banned durbar activities in the state as the Muslim faithful celebrate Eid.
A statement issued by the state commissioner of police, Gumel, stated that the ban became necessary to sustain peace in the state.
According to reports, the deposed emir of the Kano emirate, Bayero, had on June 10, invited district heads for the forthcoming durbar, which Muslims often celebrate after every Eid.
The ICIR reports that the durbar festival is usually held twice yearly in Kano and some other ancient towns in Northern Nigeria, to mark the Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
It is a colourful event that often lasts for three or four days, with the festival characterised by processions through the city, led by the emir, a key player in the event.
The police, however, advised the faithful to conduct their normal Eid prayers at the various designated praying grounds as done in the past
A reporter with the ICIR
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