Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has advised all Nigerians to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious individuals and criminal activities to law enforcement agencies as the nation prepares for the 2021 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The minister, in a statement today, July 15, declaring July 20 and 21 as public holiday to mark the festival, asked Nigerians to beware of the activities of bandits in the Northwest and North-Central, insurgents in the Northeast, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic agitators and sundry criminals in other parts of the country.
In the statement by Dr Shuaib Belgore, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Aregbesola assured that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the security of lives and property of every Nigerian, empowering the citizens for successful living, the provisions of social investments programmes, as well as the security in the schools, especially with the spate of innocent school children being targets of kidnapping.”
He also advised Nigerians to observe all COVID-19 protocols, particularly the non-pharmaceutical measures, wearing of facemasks, hand washing and social distancing designed to keep transmission of the disease at bay.
“We must all take responsibility for containment of the pandemic during this year’s festival,” he said.The minister sympathises with the families of school children who had been kidnapped or suffered one misfortune or another.“Our hearts and prayers of comfort are with you.”
Aregbesola congratulated Muslims and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion, saying: “I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).”
He requested Muslims to use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, “considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment.”
