This year’s Eid-al-Fitr was a joyous and colourful occasion – and, most importantly, it was peaceful and harmonious in the northeast of Nigeria even though there were rumours and vague threats that insurgents might disrupt the festivities.
In Borno State, people gathered in different praying grounds to observe the short celebrative two Rakat prayers and six Takbirs (praising God).
RNI reporter Nana Hadiza Mustapha spoke to worshippers at the Kulogumna Eid ground in Maiduguri.
Muhammad Abba said: “We prayed peacefully without encountering any problems. I used the occasion to pray for the peace and wellbeing of the state so that it can recover from the ravages of the past and for our economy to revive so we will have fewer hardships in the future. I prayed that things will get better so that life will be easier for all.”
Mustapaha Muhammad said: “We observed Eid peacefully. Everyone looked very happy and colourful. I also prayed for our state to prosper economically. With continued peace we will all be able to live a better life.”
The imam of Federal Low-cost in Maiduguri, Imam Grema, who led the prayer, said: “Peace and unity are two important things that our religion commands of mankind. With unity comes a lot of positivity. I am calling on the public to come together and to practise goodness and kindness, to become more unified and to help one another foster a better society now and in the future.”
People should not neglect the religious practices observed in the holy month of Ramadan. They should respect the good acts and should continue living like that throughout their lives, he said.
RNI’s reporter, Umar Bukar Gaji, said festivities in Adamawa State were also peaceful.
“We witnessed a wonderful Eid. The state provided sufficient security so everyone felt safe,” said Zainab Isa.
“But,” she said, “I noticed that many of the parents were neglecting to take care of their children. That is not good at this time when there is still insecurity in the state.”
Ali Mamman, the adviser on religious affairs to the Adamawa State government, said: “The public should take lessons from the month of Ramadan and continue their good acts. That’s what society needs, peace and harmony. I call on young people, especially, to shun violence.”
RNI’s reporter in Yobe State, Alhaji Sheriff Bura, said Eid was, for the most part, peaceful and joyful.
However some people were upset because the state’s government had not paid junior staff their salaries so that made the occasion less joyful for them.
Musa Bukar said: “I’m not so happy celebrating Eid this year. My family suffered. I’m a civil servant worker who does not earn a high salary. And, by the time Eid came, the government had still not paid me or some of the other workers their salary. I was not able to buy new clothes for my children and I struggled to buy food. So, although we celebrated the occasion, it was not with much joy or happiness.”
Kaka Modu, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, told RNI reporter Aisha Jamal that for the three days of the celebration of Eid, his unit worked with hunters and volunteers to provide tight security.
“We used intelligence information received from insiders, ‘people in the know’, and that enabled us to provide maximum security and support for the public. It makes me feel proud that we were able to do this, to make people feel safe so that they could celebrate a joyous Eid in peace. Everything went well and no insurgents were able to infiltrate any praying ground.”
AISHA SD JAMAL
