Ahead of Friday eid-el-fitr, concerns have mounted over the safety of Muslims at prayer grounds, especially in the Northern part of the country.

Worshippers seem to be bracing for a low-key celebration amid killings and kidnappings by bandits and Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in some states in the country.

The Monday suicide bombings in some parts places in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which killed more than 23 persons and injured several others, raised significant concerns over security challenges in the country.

They also highlighted the need for the government to change approaches and protect citizens.

While President Bola Tinubu vowed to crush terrorists killing people and sacking communities, the headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation HADIN KAI called for increased vigilance especially across the North-East over what it described as an increased risk of suicide bomb attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the region.

In an advisory on Monday, the military headquarters noted that terrorist groups often intensify attacks during significant religious periods, especially around the 27th and 29th days of Ramadan, when mosques, markets, motor parks, hospitals and other public gathering points experience heightened human activity.

This development made the police in Lagos, Kano, Abuja and other states to unveil extensive security measures ahead of the Eid, to ensure a peaceful, hitch-free celebration for residents and visitors in the country.

Despite the assurances, residents expressed frustrations about the killings and kidnappings and accused the government of not doing enough to secure lives and property as required by the constitution.

Some residents in the North, who spoke to Peoples Gazette on Thursday, expressed fear ahead of the festive celebrations in the region, with many planning to boycott Eid praying grounds for fear of terror attacks resulting in death or kidnap. 

A resident in Mubi, Adamawa State, Muhammad Buhari, said it was unsafe for people especially in Mubi and Madagali areas of the state to attend open Eid prayer, citing alleged multiple threats by terrorists to invade the communities.

Mr Buhari said, “To be honest, we are unsafe. Especially for those of us in Mubi, Adamawa State. Even before the recent attacks in nearby Borno State and places like Madagali in our state, there were already warnings about possible threats in Mubi Town.”

He stated that now that attacks were happening closer to them, “the fear has grown, and it does not feel completely safe to celebrate Sallah, especially since attackers often target crowded places.”

Also, a resident in Woro, Kaiama LGA of Kwara, Abdullahi Adamu, said it was unsafe to celebrate Eid as he used to based on recent attacks by terrorists and bandits in his community.

“It’s not safe to celebrate sallah, hence we are not celebrating, not in the manner we used to – we would only be praying at the eid ground and that ends it. the people understand this,” Mr Abdullahi stated.

He accused the government of failing woefully to protect lives and property, charging individual citizens to ensure safety during the festive season.

“Over time, the security provided by the government had failed the people, woefully. it’s best not to anticipate nothing,” Mr Abdullahi added. “It’s all talk and no action. Every individual owes the responsibility to safeguard themselves, by staying indoors.”

A resident of Niger State, Abubakar Muhammad, expressed a similar frustration, insisting that the joy of the Eid had been overshadowed by recent killings and kidnappings in the state.

“Sincerely, is not safe in celebrating sallah in the northern part of the country due to the worsening security situation in the state and the country at large,” Mr Muhammad stated.

He urged residents to be vigilant, report suspicious movements to security agencies and shun night travels especially during the festive season.

“As for the citizens, they should be vigilant about their surroundings, and report any suspicious movements and faces to the security operatives. Also they can avoid any night movements, avoid traveling on the days declared as public holidays on the express roads terrorist activities often occur,” Mr Muhammad added.

Another Muslim resident in Katsina State, Hajara Bawa, said the recent killings and kidnappings had rendered residents anxious, fearful and insecure, despite the fact that Eid is a celebration of joy.

“Sallah celebration is a joyous occasion to Muslims, but with the recent happenings mostly in remote areas of the state we are feeling anxious, fearful and insecure,” Ms Bawa stated.

Stressing the need for enhanced security during the festive celebrations and beyond, she added, “Patrols should be strengthened, fortified checkpoints should be established and also there should be a collaboration with the community leaders. But if these attacks persist, it might even lead to the cancellation of the sallah durbar in the metropolis.”

A resident of Maiduguri, Borno State, Maryam Musa, also stated that the  atmosphere was unsafe for people to engage in Eid celebration in the state.

Asked about her plans for the Eid, she said, “No plan. People are not safe.”

Noting that emergency contact and support security operations must be available across the state, she added that security operatives must be on the alert to monitor security situations particularly in places such as Bama, Gwoza. 

“Henceforth, security operatives must be under alert to safeguard people life and property. Moreover, general movement should be restricted particularly after Eid,” Ms Musa advised.

Another Muslim, Usman Hashimu, resident in Katsina State, described the security challenges as disturbing, highlighting its implications for peaceful Eid celebrations.

Lamenting absence of safety in the North, Mr Hashimu stated, “Safety feels less like a certainty and more like a prayer whispered under one’s breath. Yet, Sallah is not merely an event it is faith Even in the face of unrest, the human spirit leans toward celebration, though cautiously, like a lamp shielded from the wind.”

He stressed the need for residents to be on the alert, adding “safety, now, is relative measured not in absence of danger, but in presence of hope, vigilance and collective responsibility.” 

However, Ibrahim Maigida from Sokoto State, stated that Eid celebrations should not be affected especially in communities devoid of security challenges.

Saying that terrorists often target rural communities with little or no security presence, Mr Ibrahim said it was not obligatory to attend Eid in such a situation.

“Insecurity is on the rise given the wave of attacks recently. However, I guess not all the areas in the North are affected. In safe areas, it is not a challenge attending Eid celebration. In rural areas where security challenges are evident, Eid is not compulsory. After all, attending Eid is voluntary,” he noted.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders insisted  that it was the responsibility of the government to protect lives and property, stressing the need for adequate security measures during Eid celebrations.

A senior lecturer at the Al-Hikmah University and good governance advocate, Sanusi Lafiagi, said adequate security must be provided at Eid praying grounds, malls, marketplaces and other public gatherings.

“In the wake of the recent attacks on innocent civilians by armed groups, adequate measures must be taken to provide tight security around places of gathering for festive celebration and shopping, such as Eid praying ground, malls, marketplaces, etc., Mr Lafiagi stated. “Heavy security presence will boost people’s confidence and ensure a smooth celebration of Sallah.”

Commending the military over recent successes especially in Borno State, the academic added that ongoing efforts to dislodge the terrorists from their dens and hideouts must be intensified.

“The recent success by the military in Borno which resulted in the massacre of 61 insurgents is a huge boost to our gallant officers. We must build on that momentum, and aggressively deal with the criminals before they are able to wreak havoc on innocent citizens,” he stated.

A sustainable development advocate, Amina Abdul, described banditry and terrorism as unfortunate part of the country’s history which must be confronted transparently and a strong political will.

Noting Eid as an inevitable moment of joy for Muslims, Ms Abdul reiterated heightened security measures especially in mosques and other places of worship.

“Bandits and terrorists are becoming a very unfortunate part of our history. However their menace is becoming more daring. Going for eid-el-fitr tomorrow is inevitable. We go with the mindset that nothing is beyond Allah.

“The best is for  increased security architecture and awareness. Surveillance using drones should be enhanced; security agents must be deployed in mosques and prayer grounds; people should report any suspicious movement to security forces, among other measures,” she added.