The annual Sallah durbar turned tragic on Wednesday in Kano State, as many people reportedly lost their lives and many others sustained injuries during the ceremony, a report this morning by The Guardian said. “All were pomp and ceremony until the traditional horse ride at the Emir of Kano’s palace turned violent about 7pm when some suspected hoodlums reported invaded the arena,” the paper said.

A strange movement by the suspects, according to the paper, was instantly resisted by the emirate guards and traditional hunters, but not without inflicting terror on guests with dangerous weapons.

“Although Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was conspicuously absent during the traditional Hawan Dauche, the crisis had forceful Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, district heads and personalities, as well as members of the diplomatic corps to leave the arena under security cover,” the report said.

The paper disclosed that “when contacted, the spokesperson of Kano police command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the ugly incident. He, however, could not confirm the number of casualties at the time of filing this report.”