Less than 72 hours to Eid-il-Kabir Sallah festival, Kano State Police Command on Tuesday issued a fresh restriction on all Durbar activities across the state during celebrations.

The command, in a statement by SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, spokesperson, cited security concerns and the need to ensure law and order for the renewed ban.

The police order comes a few hours after the Kano Emirate Council issued a circular inviting traditional leaders, including the district heads and their horsemen, to participate in the annual Sallah Durbar festivities.

The police noted that following credible intelligence and prior security assessments, all forms of Durbar activities remained banned throughout the state, a measure earlier announced during the last Eid-el-Fitr and still considered necessary due to ongoing threats.

According to the release, the threats which prompted the earlier decision are still potent and have not been fully neutralised. There are intelligence reports indicating plans by miscreants and their sponsors to hijack the Durbar celebration and use it to undermine public peace, as recorded during the last Sallah festivities.

“To maintain law and order, the Command outlined a series of restrictions, including a ban on horse or animal riding (Kilisa); ban on car racing and reckless driving; prohibition of unlawful possession or display of firearms or weapons; and warning against carrying dangerous or suspicious items in public,” the statement read.

The police also called on parents and guardians to caution their wards against being recruited by “subversive elements,” stressing that security agencies would enforce the directives to the letter.

The statement urged citizens to embrace the spirit of the season with responsibility, calling people to celebrate the joyous occasion while praying for the peace and progress of Kano State, Nigeria, and for the souls of the athletes recently lost in a tragic road accident returning from the National Sports Festival.

The circular, signed by the Emirate Secretary, Alhaji Abba Yusuf (Danmakwayon Kano), with reference no. KEC/BCC/31A/2025/12, the Emir invited all council members and district heads to converge in Kano with their horses and riders for the annual Durbar on Wednesday, 4th June 2025 (8th Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH).

The letter also directed them to appear before His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, at the palace the following day (Thursday, 5th June 2025) for a formal briefing and session on Durbar procedures.

The Emirate stated that all logistical support, including coordination with local government authorities, was being arranged to facilitate the event.

Recalled that a similar order by the police banning one of the oldest traditional heritages about three months ago during the Eid-il-Fitr Sallah festival triggered public concern.

Unlike the recent ban, the police were forced to prevent the mass horse ride to celebrate Sallah following a parallel announcement of the same event by the 15th Emir, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero, and 16th Emir, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Kano Durbar is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, placed on its representative list, acknowledging its cultural significance and contribution to global diversity.