The Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris has cancelled this year’s Sallah Durbar. According to BBC Hausa, the emir cancelled it due to security reasons.

Traditional title holder of Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu made this known at the Zazzau palace, saying that it would amount to lack of decorum to go ahead with the durbar at a time when many families were mourning the demise of their loved ones.

Alhaji Amimu said while the Sallah Durbar remains one of the cherished traditions of the people of the emirate, the killing of innocent citizens calls for sober reflections, hence the decision to cancel the annual event.

He urged residents of the emirate to use the remaining days of the holy month of Ramadan to pray for peace and tranquillity in Nigeria, saying the emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, shares in the grief of those that lost their relatives in the recent blast in the city.

Sallah Durbar is an annual festival celebrated in several cities of Nigeria. It is celebrated at the culmination of Muslim festivals Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses, accompanied by music players, and ending at the Emir's palace.