Following recent security concerns in Kano State, and the widespread destruction and vandalization that followed the EndBadGovernment protests, an organized national prayer session scheduled for Saturday has been canceled.
The national prayer was earlier scheduled to take place on August 10, at Isyaka Rabi’u’s Mosque in Goron Dutse, Kano.
The cancellation announcement was made by Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan, the Coordinator of the National Prayer, who expressed deep regret over the security situation that had been planned to foster peace and stability in the nation.
In a statement released on Friday, August 9th, Lawan revealed that the decision to cancel the event was based on intelligence reports from the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state, Alhassan Muhammad.
The reports indicated that the prayer session might be hijacked and lead to further havoc in the nation.
According to the statement, these security officials had alerted the organizers to a potential threat posed by “evil forces” who had allegedly planned to infiltrate the peaceful gathering.
“We have been informed that some miscreants have been prepared to penetrate the law-abiding worshippers and exploit the gathering for their advantage,” Lawan said.
“It is suspected that they might incite some youths to engage in looting, shoplifting, and other disturbances, as happened on August 1st, the day the national protest began.
“Therefore, we cancel the massive gathering today, Friday, August 9th, to avert potential chaotic mayhem in the state,” Lawan said.
He urged the general public to remain in their local mosques and continue with their prayers from their locations
“The prayer can be effective wherever we are, as Allah hears us wherever we are.
“I urge the general public to be extra cautious of any unfamiliar individuals who might be carrying suspicious objects,” he warned.
Lawan urged the public to remain steadfast in their prayers for the country.
“Let us pray earnestly for the betterment of our nation,” he said, expressing hope that collective prayers would contribute to peace and stability in Nigeria.