Ramadan: IG Orders Security Checks at Important Locations

• Atiku urges soul-searching

The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Solomon Arase, has asked state police commissioners across the country to ensure adequate security checks at key places during this Ramadan season.
Arase, according to Premium Times, gave the order in a statement, while extending his regards to Muslim faithful as they commenced the Ramadan season, monday.

The statement, signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, quoted Arase as also calling for the understanding and cooperation of the masses during the period.

“To ensure a peaceful fasting period across the country, the IG has directed state command Commissioners of Police to personally ensure that key and vulnerable points, all places of worship, recreation centres, resorts and other public places are adequately and effectively protected, to enable worshippers and the general public enjoy maximum fulfillment, during and after the period, which will lead to the Eid-el Fitri celebration,” the statement said.

“The IG expresses the belief that Almighty Allah will, in His infinite mercy and in answer to the fervent prayers of Muslim faithful, resolve the country’s numerous challenges and grant the country’s leaders the wisdom to lead the nation aright.

“Finally, the IG seeks the prayers, support and understanding of Nigerians, assuring that by God’s grace, the battle against crime and criminality will eventually be won”, the statement said.

Meanwhile, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged followers of the Islamic faith in the country to observe the Holy month with soul-searching and deeper commitment to family.

He also urged Muslims to pray for Nigeria and its leaders at all levels to overcome the challenges confronting the country.

In a goodwill message to Muslims to mark the commencement of the Ramadan fasting period, the former vice-president said the occasion should be a unique opportunity for Muslims to demonstrate greater self-discipline and compassion for the weak, the poor and the suffering.

He explained that the 30 days period of fasting should be a reminder to Muslims to come to terms with what it means to go without eating from morning to evening, and thereby appreciating the conditions of millions of ordinary Nigerians that go without eating daily.

According to him, Muslims should use the occasion to increase their love and compassion for the less fortunate members of the society, adding that we should take the spirit of compassion beyond Ramadan by making it a permanent feature of our everyday life.

The former Vice President also appealed to Muslims to use the spirit of the Ramadan fasting period to promote tolerance, love and peaceful coexistence to higher and more enduring levels.

He said: “The best public relations for our religions is our conduct towards others in terms of love and tolerance. We must be good Ambassadors of our faith, because our humble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) himself attracted adherents to Islam through personal examples of love, tolerance and justice. The best service we can to do Islam is to live by its teachings.”

He enjoined Muslims to give support to one another, and give even greater support to the political authority in our country and various localities.