Nigeria: Sallah – Security Beefed-Up in the North, Abuja

Ahead of Sallah celebration, security agencies comprising the police, state security service (SSS) and the Nigerian army have beefed up security in the north to forestall any break down of law and order and to checkmate the activities of Boko Haram.

The inspector general of police Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered officers in charge of zonal and state police commands to give worship places and recreation centres adequate security during the celebrations.

In his Eid-El-Fitri message he assured worshippers and travellers that the police would continue to provide adequate security.

In a statement signed by the force public relations officer (FPRO) Mr. Frank Mba, the IG enjoined Nigerians to be their brother’s keepers by reporting activities of criminals to the police or any security agency.

The IG, who also cautioned police chiefs to ensure 24-hour security around all government installations, facilities and other related valuable targets, warned officers who would be deployed during the period to ensure they comport themselves within the confines of the law.

Abubakar directed assistant inspectors general of police in charge of the zonal commands and commissioners of police across the states to ensure “water-tight” security before, during and after the celebration.

“Commissioners of Police are particularly mandated to personally ensure that all places of worship, recreation centres, resorts and other public places are adequately and effectively protected. Officers and men are to be deployed to ensure that the highways are effectively covered with motorised patrol teams.”

He said the measure was to enable worshippers and the public carry out their obligations and enjoy the celebration.

The inspector-general warned officers that would be involved in the security arrangement during the period to be firm but polite, civil and respect human rights.

Abubakar also warned miscreants and mischief makers to desist from disturbing the peace, adding that the police would bring law breakers to book.

Look for new moon – Sultan

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has asked Muslims and its moon sighting committees to look out for the new moon of Shawwal today.

The NSCIA gave the directive yesterday in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the secretary-general of the Council, Dr. AbdulLateef Adegbite.

The NSCIA which said that the directive was in line with the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) declared that today is 29th of Ramadan.

Adegbite said, “Prophet Muhammad (SAW) instructed the Muslims, saying: “Do not fast unless you see the Crescent (of the month of Ramadan) and do not give up fasting till you see the Crescent (of the month of Shawwal). But if the sky is overcast, count 30 days of Sha’aban or of Ramadan as the case may be.”

Adegbite said: “In accordance with this Prophetic Tradition, Friday Aug. 17, being the 29th day of Ramadan 1433AH, members of the National and State Moon-Sighting Committees as well as other Nigerian Muslims should look for the new crescent of Shawwal month.”

He said if the moon is sighted today the following leaders should be communicated immediately: His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto (Sokoto – 08036470422); HRH the Shehu of Borno (Borno – 08037855555, 08023549558); Dr. Abdullateef Adegbite (Abeokuta – 08034020350); HRH the Emir of Gwandu (Kebbi – 08036154369); HRH the Emir of Kano (Kano – 064-631114, 633769).

The secretary-general said where the authorities were satisfied that the new moon had been sighted in accordance with the prescribed procedure, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, should be informed at once.

He said the Sultan would then formally announce the termination of the Ramadan Fast and the observance of Eid-el-Fitr Prayer on Saturday Aug. 18.

“In the event of the moon not being sighted today, the fasting would continue on Saturday, while the Eid-el-Fitr Prayer shall be observed on Sunday, the statement explained.

The Council advised radio and television stations throughout the country to cooperate and broadcast any announcement made by His Eminence, the Sultan to Muslims.

JNI felicitates with Muslim Ummah

Also, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, felicitated with the Muslim Ummah over the end of Ramadan fast.

In a statement signed by the JNI secretary-general, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, yesterday, the JNI said the end of the Ramadan fast was a pointer to Muslims all over the world to reflect on their actions and inactions.

It called on Muslims to give Zakkatu-fitr (ordained alms giving at the end of Ramadan fast), preferably, two days to the Eid-el-fitr, but not more than the morning of the Eid-el-fitr.

It added the zakkatu-fitr would assist the less privileged in the society to also celebrate Sallah with the Muslim Ummah.

The statement urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to supplicate fervently for the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria and commiserated with the people of Borno, Yobe and Gombe states over the various attacks unleashed on them in the past few days, saying security of the state is the business of all and sundry.

“We wish all Muslim faithful an accepted Ramadan fast and successful Eid-el-fitr celebration. However, the Muslim Ummah should not forget the recommended six- days fasting after the Ramadan, ie-sittal-shawwal, as recommended by the Prohet (SAW),” it added.

It cautioned motorists, especially among the Muslim ummah to observe traffic rules to ensure accident-free Sallah celebration.

Reps urge police, SSS to provide security at Sallah

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has called on the police, the State Security Services (SSS) and all security agencies to ensure the provision of adequate security during the Sallah celebrations.

A statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday by the Chairman, Rep. Bello Mutawalle (PDP-Zamfara) urged the various agencies to step up their efforts in tackling crime in the country.

Mutawalle called on the various security agencies to step up their effort in the ongoing fight against terrorism and crime especially during the Sallah celebrations.

Police close Rukuba, polo praying grounds in Jos

As part of security measures ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr festivity, the Plateau police command has closed the Rukuba and Polo grounds used as Muslim praying ground during the festivity.

The commissioner of police, Plateau State command, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni, said in a statement in Jos on Thursday, that the step was one of the measures agreed to, after series of security meetings with religious and community leaders.

“Considering the security risk, an alternative ground has been provided at the Bauchi road motor park,” Ayeni explained.

The statement added that the Abattoir-Airforce roundabout road would be closed to traffic on Sallah day, while traffic would be diverted to other routes.

Ayeni particularly warned youths against brandishing dangerous weapons and the use of inflammatory statements during the prayers, and warned that anyone caught would face the full wrath of the law.

The police boss assured Plateau residents of full protection throughout the period, and called for cooperation from everybody toward a peaceful ceremony.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that attempts by the Muslim faithful to use both grounds located in predominantly Christian settlements for Sallah prayers last year, resulted in violence that left scores dead.

Police beef up security in Bauchi metropolis

In a related development, the Bauchi Police Command has also beefed up security in Bauchi metropolis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that policemen have commenced a 24-hour ‘stop and search’ operation with a view to detecting any plan to disrupt peace in the state.

Search teams have been stationed in major highways in Bauchi and vehicles are being thoroughly searched.

Alhaji Mohammed Ladan, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, told NAN on Thursday that although the state had enjoyed relative peace, his command did not want to take chances.

Security tightened in Kaduna

Meanwhile, security has been strengthened in strategic locations in Kaduna town, Zaria, and the Southern part of Kaduna State.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that, the action was taken to prevent any attack by Boko Haram during the Sallah celebrations.

Apart from uniformed and armed security operatives, there are also plain-clothed security operatives deployed to watch out for possible terrorist attack.

He said that investigation was ongoing for the location from which Wednesday’s suicide bombers operated.

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