. Governor, religious bodies seek devine intervention
By Priscilla Campbell,
Minna
Niger State Governor, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello, has called on Christians and Muslims to pray and ask God to end the high level insecurity in the state.
He disclosed that over 10,000 people had been rendered homeless, while many others had lost their lives to security challenges in the state.
Bello disclosed this to journalists after a special prayer section organised by the government at the Minna Central Mosque.
He said that his government has put in place a robust action plan that would totally eradicate activities of armed bandits.
His words: “They (bandits) have forced over 10,000 people to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and today we call for special prayers against these bandits and to seek Allah’s guidance and protection from these people. Also, we hope that God will penetrate their hearts to stop these activities before it’s too late.”
Bello also disclosed the need for the prayers.
According to him, “It was because, recently and very unusual we have been confronted with alot of security challenges from unknown armed bandits from wherever they are.”
The governor said that the state had been a very quiet and peaceful area despite its cultural and religious diversities, noting that of recent, the bandits have been very inhumane in their activities.
“They have killed innocent civilians, killed security men, killed vigilantes; they have killed women and babies and virtually anything that moves around. And that is why, I am calling on Christian and Muslim Ummahs to pray for the state and Nigeria.”
He added that the Christians will also pray concurrently on Sunday.
Besides, the Secretary of the Niger State Imams’ Forum and Chief Imam of Bosso Mosque, Alhaji Umar Faruk, had said: “We are running to God for help because these challenges are more than us and we believe Almighty Allah can help us.
“As we are praying here in Minna emirate, prayers are also ongoing concurrently in the other seven Emirates of Bida, Suleja, Kagara, Kotangora, Borgu, Lapai and Agaie as directed by the state government.”
Those in attendance were the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouq Bahago; Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Representatives of security agencies, politicians among many others.