Christians, Muslims intensify prayers for Islamiyya children’s release

As part of effort to put an end to the incessant insecurity challenges in Niger state, Christians and Muslims faithful have intensified their prayers for the release of those kidnapped.

The religious leaders in their separate prayers admonished the bandits to lay down their arms and embrace peace, adding that the children and others abducted are going through trauma.

The state government while urging mosques and churches to conduct special prayers for God’s divine intervention in the fight against insecurity in the state, advised that it be replicated in all the Emirates across the state.

Governor Sani Bello represented by his Deputy, Ahmed Mohammed Ketso during the special prayer at the Minna Central Mosque enjoined the people to return to God so that the carnage will come to an end.

The governor said that the state government is collaborating with the security agencies, working round the clock to ensure that they protect lives and property even as the security challenges were surmountable.

The Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Ibrahim Isah Fari led a group of Ulamas in the Muslim prayer for the quick release of the islamiyya students.

Similarly, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigerian, Rev. Mathias Echioda, while praying for peace in the state and country commended the government for believing that God can salvage the country from its present predicament.

He appreciated the courage of the government to call for the prayers, stating that they have always been praying for an end of the banditry activities.

“But that government has called for religious bodies to pray is highly commendable because it shows that they said God is the ultimate and that God is the answer, and we agree with God in totality”, he added.

The CAN chairman appealed to the bandits to have a second thought, lay down their arms and dialogue with the government to make their grievances known and discuss so that they are integrated into the society.

The special prayer was equally conducted at St. Micheal’s Catholic cathedral, Minna which also featured holy Mass, intercessory prayer for restoration of peace in the state and prayer for Nigeria in distress.