The Eid-El-Fitri festivities was on Tuesday celebrated peacefully in States within the Northeast sub-region that had been grappling with security challenges.
Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and neighbouring Jigawa, report that the festivities took place without any ugly incident.
NAN reports that the authorities in some of the states, namely Borno and Yobe, had taken proactive measure by restricting vehicular movement to ensure that there was no breach of the peace.
Security operatives were also drafted in strategic areas in all the states to ensure security of lives and property.
A NAN Correspondent who monitored the occasion in Borno, reports that thousands of faithful trekked long distances to attend the congregation prayers.
Restriction of vehicular movement was also imposed in Maiduguri metropolis, from 7 a.m. to 12. 15 p.m, just as 13-hour ban on vehicular movement was also imposed in neighbouring Damaturu, the Yobe.
Mr Abubakar Usman, Police Public Relations Officer, Borno Command, in a statement in Maiduguri, said the restriction in the state, would last two days..
In hissermon, Alhaji Shettima Sale, The Chief Imam of Borno, Central Mosque,admonished Nigerian to embrace peace and love one another.
Sale also enjoined citizens in the state to continue praying for the return of lasting peace to the state.
In Gombe, Malam Aliyu Hammari, Deputy Chief Imam, Gombe Central Mosque, called on Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, to fulfill campaign promises to people of the state.
Jamari, who made the call in his sermon, urged the new governor to maintain his good conduct and make himself available to the people at all times.
In a statement on the occasion, the state governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, called on the people of the state to imbibe the culture of peaceful co-existence irrespective of their differences.
“We must live together, imbibe the tenets of Islam, which promotes peace, tolerance, modesty and love.
“Peace is a catalyst for socio-economic development in any society and I urge the people of the state to continue to live in harmony, irrespective of their differences,” he said.
In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Gwallaga Friday Mosque in Bauchi, Sheikh Ibrahim Idris, advised Muslims to increase devotion and generosity even after the month of Ramadan.
He said that the significance and benefits of fasting to a believer could not be overemphasized.
“We should seek true closeness to Him, forgive one another, help and share with the less privileged and non-Muslims in our society,” he said.
The Police Public Relations officer, BauchiSate Police Command, DSP Kamal Datti, told NAN that there were no reports of ugly incidents throughout the state.
Bauchi State governor, Bala Muhammed, in a statement issued on his behalf by his spokesperson, Ladan Salihu, called on Muslim faithful in the state to extend hands of fellowship to the followers of other faiths.
“Islam, as you are all aware, is a religion of peace and preaches nothing but peace.
“As muslims, we should learn from the teachings of Ramadan in our daily dealings with our brothers and sisters.
“We should also extend hands of fellowship to followers of other faiths; Eid el- fitr celebration should also be used to strengthen existing relationships and also establish new ones,” Muhammed was quoted as saying.
In a similar message, Adamawa governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence in line with the lesson of Ramadan.
In a message through his Director, Media and Communications, Mr Solomon Kumangar,the governor urged the people to allow lessons of Ramadan guide their actions.
While wishing the people peaceful celebration, he urged them to be alert and report any suspicious movement to security agents.
Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of Dutse Central Mosque in Jigawa, Muhammad Birninkudu, has urged wealthy Muslims to use the lesson learnt during the month of Ramadan to help the less privileged in the society.
The cleric also cautioned Muslims on the negative use of social media.(NAN)
