Kaduna, Kano cancel Sallah durbar

Kaduna and Kano State Governments have cancelled the traditional Sallah durbar and large gatherings across the states. The cancellation was part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 third wave after the country detected the more transmissible Delta variant.

The federal government had put Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on red alert to ensure a safe and healthy nationwide Eid-el-Kabir celebration

Kano State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, in a statement, said the Eid prayers would be held in all the five emirates and mosques across the state.

Kaduna State Taskforce on COVID-19 also ordered that Eid prayer be decentralised to neighbourhood Friday mosques and that prayers should be conducted out-door.

The state’s Deputy Governor and the

Chairman of the Task Force, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, in a statement yesterday, said all indoor gatherings should be limited to half capacity and physical distancing strictly observed.

The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Bamalli has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Kabir procession in Zaria in compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols.

The royal father made the announcement while briefing newsmen at his palace in Zaria on Monday.

Also, the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad has announced the cancellation of the Sallah celebration in Jama’a Emirate, Kaduna.

However, Gombe Emirate Council has said that it would hold the annual durbar processions to mark the Eid el-Kabir Sallah Festival.

A palace source told Daily Trust that preparations have been concluded for the durbar immediately after the two-unit Eid prayer.

He said traditional title holders and palace courtiers had been informed of the plans for the durbar processions.