BEVERLY HILLS, May 07, (THEWILL) – The Niger State Government on Friday announced a ban on horse-riding before, during and after the Muslim festival of Ed-el-Fitri, slated for next week.
A statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, said the ban covered the eight emirate councils in the state.
The statement was however silent if the ban affected traditional rulers across the state, who usually celebrate Muslim festivals with durbars during which they pay Sallah homage to the State Governor.
The SSG, in the statement, said: “The decision to ban the traditional horse riding followed several complaints received by the government where some unscrupulous elements hiding under these celebrations wreak havoc and carry out nefarious activities on law-abiding citizens of the state.”
He said the government would not succumb to any security threat in whatever form and would therefore deal decisively in responding to such threats
Matane called on the general public to comply fully with the directive because the government would not tolerate any form of horse riding during festivals and ceremonies, adding that horse owners and parents should warn their wards against non-compliance.
He said: “Anyone found involved in such an act shall be arrested and the horse confiscated.”
Matane assured the people of the state that all forms of criminality would soon be nipped in the bud and called on the citizens to pray fervently so that the state could overcome the present era of insecurity.
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