News
Durbar ban: Emir Sanusi visits gov Yusuf, avoids traditional horse ride
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.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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