The Kano Emirate Council on Wednesday declared that that it would not observe the annual Durbah ceremony during this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, coming up this weekend.

This would be the first time the Sallah Durbah would be cancelled in its over 700 years history.

The Emirate council said the Durban was cancelled due to the health condition of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who is the custodian of the tradition of the people of the state.

However, a source close to the Emirate disclosed that the suspension of the Durban activities was mainly because of the prevailing security situation in the state.

Kano state, the commercial city in northern Nigeria has recorded a number of attacks in the raging insurgency by fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram.

A senior councillor in the Emirate, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Kano stated that “the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, has directed me to inform all district heads and all other traditional rulers that traditional Sallah activities have been cancelled and everybody should stay indoor to celebrate the Sallah.’’

“The Emir will only attend the Eid prayer on Sallah day,” he said.

Sanusi, who also holds the traditional title of Wamban Kano, added that “all other celebrations during Sallah from Sallah homage, visit to the state governor and the traditional Hawan Nassarawa where he interfaces, with his subjects were cancelled in view of the health condition of the Emir”

Sanusi urged the people to pray for improved health of the royal father and for continuous peace in the state and the country.