Amid the ban on Sallah Durbar activities, the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Tuesday, abandoned the traditional horse procession and instead travelled in a vehicle convoy to offer Sallah homage to Governor Abba Yusuf at the Kano Government House.

The emir also changed his routes from the Emir’s palace to the state road to the Government House, to avoid security breaches.

There had been anxiety among residents of the state, following the decision of the two rival emirs to hold the Sallah Durbar.

The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji (Dr) Aminu Ado Bayero, had written to the police command, informing it of the plan to have a Sallar Durbar procession during the Eid-el-Fitr festivities.

Also, Governor Abba Yusuf asked Emir Sanusi and the Kano Emirate to prepare to celebrate the Sallah Durbar this year.

Sensing security implications, Bayero announced the cancellation of all Sallah Durbar activities this year.

The state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Bakori, also announced the ban of all forms of Sallah Durbar activities in the state, citing security concerns.

The development was welcomed by Emir Sanusi, who called for calm among residents.

On Tuesday, Sanusi ditched the traditional horse-riding Sallah procession to the Government House and instead opted for a vehicle procession.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Sanusi, speaking at the Government House, lauded the governor for prioritising education, healthcare, agriculture, and security in the state.

“We’ve come to pay Sallah homage and thank you for your outstanding work, especially in education and agriculture, where you’ve provided subsidised modern farming implements.

“We are grateful to God for allowing us to witness this special moment, where we gather to greet the governor once again on the occasion of Sallah,” he said.

Sanusi commended members of the state House of Assembly for their lawful actions, which he said had restored sanity in the Emirate Council.

“We are hopeful that the governor will continue to do well, and we urge local government chairmen to follow his example and complement his efforts,” the emir added.

Yusuf commended Sanusi for promoting the peaceful coexistence of the people in the state.

“We are thankful to God for sparing us to see this day. It’s a tradition that on a day like this, the emir, accompanied by his entourage, visits us to pay Sallah homage.

“We thank God for sparing us to complete our Ramadan fast in peace,” he said.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Emir and his entourage for their support and efforts to unite the people of Kano State.

“We appreciate the emir’s persistent calls against antisocial vices in the state. Our emir is a leader who genuinely cares for his people.

“His dedication to bringing together different Islamic sects is a remarkable achievement,” he added.

The governor described Kano as one of the most peaceful in Nigeria, adding that his administration would ensure that the peace was sustained.

“Everyone can see our tireless efforts to transform Kano into a megacity with well-maintained streets.

“I have challenged them (public officeholders) to a competition to motivate them to perform better for their constituents,” Yusuf said.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for collaboration with the Sahel and West African countries on information and data sharing for effective border control.

He made the call on Tuesday while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of the Summit on Border Security in London.

“There is a need for collaboration of countries within the Sahel and West African sub-region for better international partnerships and information dissemination.

“We need more data sharing and better collaborations to make sure we don’t just solve the problem but we stop the problem from happening.

“The major takeaway from this summit is proactiveness and not just being reactive as countries are now more poised to criminalising irregular migration.

“So this summit is a wonderful one because it brings an opportunity for ministers in border control to make sure we are all able to manage our borders to secure our countries,” Tunji-Ojo said.

According to him, organised immigration crimes are peculiar to any nation but cut across, hence, the need for collaboration and shared solutions.

“Nigeria has a border control solution because we are not just a destination point. We have automated our solutions as there are more measures in place to ensure the borders are secured and to ensure irregular migration is brought to an end.

“We can’t afford to lose the battle before we start it, and so we know that with this kind of summit, as a united front, we will effectively combat this menace,” Tunji-Ojo assured.

NAN reports that the UK summit brought together over 30 global leaders, including UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, to discuss critical issues surrounding border control and organised immigration crime

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Immigration Service, on Tuesday, announced the arrest of 51 illegal immigrants in Nasarawa State.

According to the NIS, the illegal immigrants, who were apprehended in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, are all from Mali and are between the ages of 17 and 25.

The NIS Public Relations Officer, A.S. Akinlabi, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, stating that 11 of them are female, while 40 are male.

He said a preliminary investigation conducted by the service suggests that the migrants may be victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Akinlabi said, “The Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 51 illegal immigrants in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

“The illegal migrants, all Malians aged between 17 and 25, were arrested at their hideouts following credible intelligence. Eleven of them are female, while 40 are male.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that they may have been victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. None of them presented any valid travel documents or residence permits during interrogation.”

Akinlabi added that the migrants had been taken into NIS custody and were undergoing further profiling and investigation.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has commiserated with the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, over the death of his younger brother, Mr Tyozenda Ortom.

In a statement on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister described the death of Tyozenda as painful.

He urged the entire Ortom family to take solace in God, “the giver and taker of life”.

“The news of the death of Mr Tyozenda Ortom came to me as a rude shock and I understand the feeling of loss that must be going on in the mind of my brother and friend, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom.

“However, as painful and shocking as the death may be, I urge that solace should be taken in God, who has made death inevitable.

“On behalf of my family, friends and associates, I commiserate with you over this sad incident. It is my prayer that God in His infinite mercies will give you and the entire Ortom Adorogo family the fortitude to bear this irreparable and painful loss.”