Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has prayed for God’s intervention to enable bandits to lay down their arms and repent for peace and stability of the country.

Mr Abdulsalami, who midwifed the fourth Republic, offered the prayers on Tuesday  in an interview with reporters shortly after observing rakaats prayers for Eid-el-Kabir in Minna.

“I prayed to Allah to touch the hearts of these bandits so that they can denounce banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other criminal activities,” he said.

He said peace and stability would ensure meaningful development of the country.

The former Head of State, however, congratulated the Muslim Ummah and other Nigerians for witnessing this year’s celebrations.

He advised Nigerians to continue to remain peaceful and orderly as well as to assist one another.

Similarly, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger urged Nigerians to pray for the security agencies irrespective of ethnic and religious differences to enable them overcome the current security challenges bedeviling the nation.

Mr Bello appealed to residents of the state to provide security agencies with useful information to enable them tackle the current security challenges.

The Governor expressed optimism that the country would overcome the current security challenges.

Also, Dr Babangida Aliyu, former governor of the state, advised Nigerians to support and collaborate with government and security agencies to achieve maximum results.

Mr Aliyu also advised leaders at all levels to come up with policies targeted at reducing the current hardship being faced by the people of the country.

Earlier, Ibrahim Fari, Chief Imam, Minna central mosque, who led the two rakaat prayers, prayed for peace.

Mr Fari also proceeded with slaughtering of his ram which paved the way for other Muslim faithful to follow suit.