As Muslims set to commence mid night prayers otherwise known as ‘Tahajjud’ in the last ten days of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, members of Islamic Aid organizations and other vigilante groups in Bauchi state have been charged to provide adequate security at mosques against social miscreants.
A traditional ruler and district head of Bauchi metropolis Malam Nuru Adamu Jumba gave this charge during the opening ceremony of two days training for joint Islamic aid groups and other voluntary security organizations organized by the Group General Manager at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Alhaji Bala Wunti held on Saturday.
According to him, criminals and thieves often steal vehicles parked by worshippers during such mid night prayers, rob some of their phones and flee without being caught in some areas.
He said the aid groups and vigilante organizations have roles to play in preventing such criminals from committing their atrocities during the ‘tahajjud’ prayers.
The traditional ruler also urged the participants to complent the effort of security agencies in crime and traffic controls on sallah (eid) day saying there are not less than seven eid mosques in the state capital where thousands of Muslims observe eid prayers.
Jumba who lamented that there used to be stampedes at eid mosques said Islamic Aid groups are duty bound to control the crowds in their respective mosques advising them to cooperate with police and other security agents to ensure hitch free celebration.
Earlier, the organizer of the workshop Alhaji Bala Wunti represented by his aide Malam Isiyaka Isma’il Wunti explained that the workshop which was meant to train the participants on security and civil relations was attended by 290 trainees drawn from various organizations in state.
He said professionals from the police and other relevant organizations were invited to train the participants with a view to equipping them with security skills and crime management at public gatherings asking them to step down the training to their other colleagues.
He added that Wunti also donated one bag of rice, clothes and token sums of N5, 000 to each of the participant at the workshop.
