Don’t Use Mosque for Political Rally – Kwara Police

… FCTA Restricts Prayers to Mosques

… Nasarawa Deploys 4, 500 Police  

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja and Beauty John,  Lafia 

Amid growing insecurity in the country, occasioned by attacks and killings by bandits, Boko Haram, herdsmen and gunmen, have separately advised Muslims faithful to be conscious of the security situation in the country.

In separate Sallah messages, the security outfits assured of doing everything within their reach to ensure a peaceful celebration.

…Don’t Use Mosque for Political Rally – Kwara Police

From Kwara, the Police said to avoid any rancour, politician in the state should not turn Eid praying ground to a political rally.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mohammed Bagega, gave the warning in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ajayi Okasanmi yesterday in Ilorin.

“I wish to use this medium to inform the people of Kwara that some people have perfected plans to disrupt the peace and harmony in existence in the state using the Eid praying ground as a venue.

“The command, therefore, warns politicians not to turn Eid praying ground to a political rally. Anybody found in possession of any dangerous items like arms and ammunitions will be treated as a criminal.

“No sachet water is allowed on the praying ground as adequate water has been provided for ablution.

“No chanting of party slogan of any kind, praise singing of VIPs within the praying ground will also not be allowed.

“Motorists are advised to respect the rights of other road users as all acts of irresponsibility will be met with stiff legal consequences,’’ Bagega said.

He further warned that the police had the determination to deal decisively with anybody found committing crime before, during and after the celebration.

…Watch Your Environment – Sokoto Command

From Sokoto, the Police Command advised residents in the state to be vigilant and security conscious before, during and after the Eid-el-fitr celebrations.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Kamaldeen Okunlola, gave the advice in a statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Sunusi Abubakar, yesterday.
Okunlola congratulated Muslim faithful in the state on the successful observance of the holy month of Ramadan, wishing them a hitch free Sallah celebrations.
He assured members of the public of the preparedness of the police to provide adequate security for lives and property before, during and after the festivities.
“Policemen drawn from all departments have been deployed in the Sokoto metropolitan area, while adequate provisions have also been made to secure other parts of the state, including all praying grounds.
“However, in the event of distress, please contact the following phone numbers: 08031230631 and 07019699968,” he said.

…FCTA Restricts Prayers to Mosques

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello,
said this year’s Eid-prayers will hold only in Juma’at mosques..

In a statement issued by FCT and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, the minister said it was imperative for the administration to prevent a possible third wave as is being witnessed in some countries across the world.

The Minister who met with a delegation from the FCT League of Imams Initiative led by its Chairman, Imam (Dr) Tajudeen M.B Adigun. to discuss the modalities of holding Eid prayers for the upcoming Eid el-Fitr celebrations.

 
  The statement reads: “In his remarks, the Minister thanked the religious leaders for their cooperation in the course of the battle against COVID-19 in the FCT and said that having gone through a first wave of the pandemic and a second wave that caused more fatalities and had increased number of positives, it was imperative to prevent a possible third wave as is being witnessed in some countries across the world.  

 ”Consequently, based on presentations made by officials of the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA and the Implementation  Guidelines for Phased Restriction of Movement  issued by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on Monday. 10^th May 2021, the following guidelines are hereby issued:

“There will be no Eid prayers at the National Eid prayer ground along the Umaru Musa Yar’adua   Expressway (Airport Road). All worshippers are enjoined to hold Eid prayers outdoors within the premises of their neighborhood Juma’at Mosques.

 “Indoor worship are to be limited to less than 50% of installed capacity.  Religious authorities are advised to regulate the flow of people entering and exiting places of worship.

 ”All non-pharmaceutical intervention protocols of facial coverings, physical distancing and hand washing are to be observed.  All other Eid celebrations and activities should be confined to homes as all  public parks, recreation and entertainment centers are to be closed

 “At the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the FCT League of Imams Initiative, Dr Tajudeen Mohammed Bello Adigun, speaking on behalf of the League, said “In Islam, you listen to experts, those who are specialists and those who have actually discussed with us are experts in the field of medical sciences. In Islam, you also abide with the commands of leadership”.

 “Based on this and what we are convinced of, we urge Muslim Ummah to also respect this stand of the Administration of the FCT by observing our Eid prayers within our localities”, the statement added.

Nasarawa Deploys 4, 500 Police  

The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa state, C P Bola Longe has ordered the deployment of 4,500 personnel to major towns, Eid praying grounds, junctions, recreational centres  and other public places to ensure safety of citizens during the Sallah celebration.

In the same light, undercover operatives have also been deployed to nook and crannies of the State for surveillance and information gathering.

The CP in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lafia by the police image maker, Ramhan Namsel enjoins citizens to go about the celebrations without any fear or apprehension noting that, the Divisional Police officers (DPOs), Operational Commanders and their supervisory Area commanders were directed to ensure the safety and security of the public .

“Consequently, the State Police Command is committed to providing an enabling environment for a hitch-free celebration. Sequel to this, Four thousand, five hundred Police Personnel have been strategically deployed to cover major towns, Eid praying grounds, junctions, recreational centres  and other public places, while rigorous patrol will be sustained on our highways for the safety of  travellers. 

Longe urged the public  to report any suspicious movement around their neighborhood to the nearest police station.

“The State Command also wishes to call on the good people of the State to live in peace with one another irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliation and report any likely breach of peace in their area to the Police for prompt action.

“In case of any distress or emergency before, during, and after the festive period, the general publics are advice to call: 08108795930, 08112692680, 08037461715 and 08032875187”; the statement reads.

 FRSC Deploys 665 Personnel, Tasks Motorists on Safety

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ekiti, Elizabeth Akinlade, has stressed the need for motorists to be safety conscious before, during and after the Eid-El-Filtr celebrations.

Akinlade, who called on road users to adhere to traffic rules and regulations during the period, said that a special patrol team had been put in place to arrest erring motorists.

The sector commander said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

She disclosed that more than 300 regular marshals and 365 special marshals had been engaged for traffic control across the state.

“As Eid-el-Fitri will be celebrated by Muslim faithful worldwide on May 12 and May 13 to mark the end of Ramadan, Muslim faithful and other Nigerians may want to use the period to celebrate with their families and loved ones, thus compelling them to travel from one point to another.

“FRSC, Ekiti sector command, in collaboration with other relevant security agencies, will be carrying out special patrol operations, which will commence from May 11 to May 17,” the sector commander said.

She added that the special patrol operation was aimed at ensuring that all motorists and other road users had safe and memorable celebrations, even amidst COVID-19 pandemic and security challenges.

“This special patrol operation is to reduce road traffic crashes and traffic infractions.

“It will ensure prompt response to road traffic crash victims and enforcement as well as strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols by motorists.

“The patrol will give robust public enlightenment and education as well as clear possible obstructions,” she said.

Akinlade, however, warned that there would be strict enforcement of traffic violations, such as compliance with COVID-19 protocols, overloading, using phones while driving, using worn-out tyres and other life-threatening traffic offences.

Edo Deploys 3,410 Policemen

The Edo State Police Command has deployed 3,410 personnel to different venues across the state to provide security during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
SP Kontongs Bello, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, made the disclosure in a statement in Benin yesterday.
According to Bello, the command wishes to rejoice with all our Muslim ummah in the state during this period of Eid-el-Fittr celebration which marks the end of Holy Month of Ramadan.
“In the light of this celebration, the command has put in place adequate security measures in ensuring the security of lives and property of our Muslims and the general public during and after the celebration.
“The command has massively deployed 3,410 Policemen to Mosques and recreation venues across the state.
“Also deployed are traffic personnel to ensure free flow of traffic especially in Benin.”
The PPRO also disclosed that the command would also collaborate with other sister security agencies to ensure that the celebration was hitch-free.
“The Commissioner of Police Edo State Command, CP Phillip Ogbadu, enjoins all Muslim Ummah to be security conscious while celebrating and report any suspicious movement,” the statement added.