The Kano State Police Command has banned all durbar activities throughout the state ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
The ban was announced in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Abdullahi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel.
The decision was taken due to a crisis in the town over the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law 2019 by the state Assembly, which led to the dethronement of five emirs installed in 2020 by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Assembly replaced the law with a new version in 2024, collapsing the five emirates into one and paving the way for the reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.
The crisis has led to a dispute between Ado Bayero, who was the 15th Emir of Kano, and Sanusi, who was reinstated as the new emir.
Bayero has been holding Eid prayers at a mini palace in Nassarawa, while Sanusi has been expected to lead prayers at the main palace.
To prevent a clash between the two camps, the police have banned all durbar activities and restrained both parties from conducting any celebrations.
The police said they are committed to maintaining peace and ensuring the safety of the community.In a statement, the police said: “The Kano Police Command has placed a ban on all durbar activities throughout the state for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
In furtherance, a ban on all contending parties has been placed, restraining both from conducting Durbar activities for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.”
The police assured that adequate security deployments have been put in place to ensure no breakdown of law and order during the festive period.
Meanwhile, Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that the court has jurisdiction to hear Bayero’s case against Sanusi’s reinstatement.
The court had earlier issued an ex parte order suspending the implementation of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024.
The ruling comes as tensions remain high in Kano over the dispute between Bayero and Sanusi.
The police have warned that they will enforce the court order and urge both parties to remain apart and respect the court’s decision.
In another development, the Global Leader of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Group, Sheikh Muhammad Niasse, has denied a purported letter asking Sanusi to step down and follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.
The group said that the letter was forged and did not emanate from their leader.
