The Shehu of Borno, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Umar El-Kanemi, has said that he refused to organise this year’s annual Sallah Durbar to mark Eid-el-Fitri festival to sympathise with the abducts Chibok girls and show concern to the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the state who have been subjected to severe hardship and suffering.
The royal father stated this while speaking to newsmen in Maiduguri as part of the Eid-el-Fitri festival at his palace yesterday while expressing happiness for a peaceful Eid celebration across the state despite the ban on movement of vehicles.
He commended the security agencies for their proactive measures and action in restoring peace in the state.
He said: “We thanked the almighty God for making it possible for us to witness a peaceful Sallah celebration throughout the state. You will notice that we failed to observe the usual annual Sallah Durbar, this year.
“Actually, we felt that the mood in the state was not convenient for elaborate celebrations, so we decided to cancel the Durbar.
“How can we be celebrating a Durbar, while thousands of our people are living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in different refugee camps in the state due to Boko Haram violent attacks.”
He added: “How can we celebrate when our people and other Nigerians are being killed maimed on a daily basis. I think the best thing to do is to reflect and seek God’s help.”
