As Muslims observed the conclusion of the Ramadan fast, security authorities, including soldiers, police officers, and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, tightened security in and around Ilorin Yidi praying area on Monday (Eid-El-Fitri).
To avoid a breakdown of law and order, the state police command banned all forms of political campaigning, slogans, and praise-singing at the praying site on Friday.
The praying field and its environs were besieged by security forces in considerable numbers, who controlled motor movement and guided the devout to the praying ground.
The prayer session was attended by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq and prominent members of his cabinet.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and his chiefs were also present, and the two rakah prayers were led by Sheikh Bashir Salihu, the Chief Imam of Ilorin.
“May all our ibaadah be accepted. My message is about peace and progress. That’s the most important thing,” the chief Imam told reporters shortly after the prayers.
“Once we have peace, we will have progress. We must continue to pray for peace and progress.”
AbdulRazaq commended Muslims on completing the Ramadan fast, which led to the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The governor described the month’s days and nights as unlike any other, with Muslims openly competing to outdo one other in good actions.
“I congratulate our Muslim brethren, and especially the leader of the faithful in Kwara State, the Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. It is my prayer to Almighty Allah to accept it as a worthy act of worship, accept all our supplications in and after Ramadan, set our country on the path of improved security and greatness, grant us the grace to observe many more of Ramadan in good health and best of faith, and reward us with Al-Jannah Firdaus,” AbdulRazaq said.
“I also commend everyone, including the political class, to carry on the message and spirit of Ramadan even after its completion. Ultimately, power belongs to God and He gives whomsoever He so wishes,” he counseled
