The Plateau state government on Thursday prohibited Muslims from observing prayer at all Eid grounds across the state.
It further said Mosques in which such prayer would hold should not be done with more than 50 worshippers in it.
The Commissioner of Information and Communications, Hon. Dan Manjang, in a press statement said the resolutions were reached at the state Security Council meeting, presided by Governor Simon Lalong.
“In view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Plateau state and in furtherance of the resolutions reached at the Plateau state security council meeting, Government wishes to intimate the citizens that all Eid praying grounds across the state shall be closed to all worshippers.”
It said the resolutions was in line with existing ban on all large public gatherings in tandem with the directive of the President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs His Eminence, Sultan Mohammed Abubakar that all Muslims should suspend congregational Eid Prayers and pray at home.
“Where prayers are observed in mosques, they should abide by the regulations for not more than 50 persons, hand washing, use of sanitizers and social distancing,” it added.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command has in a press release issued by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Ubah Ogaba, said; “There will be no prayers on all Eid grounds but Mosques where Eid Prayer will be observed should not have more than fifty (50) worshippers.”
It said social distancing, use of hand sanitizers and wearing of face mask is compulsory for all.
The statement said the resolution was taken at a meeting with security chiefs, religious leaders and other stakeholders in the state in order to fine tune its strategies to ensure a crime free Eid El Fitr celebration across the state.
“The Command shall deploy a total of Two Thousand and Eighty- Nine (2,089) personnel to detect and prevent crime as well as control traffic,” it said.
