The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, has urged the temporary suspension of Ori Oke prayer gatherings in parts of Kwara and Kogi states due to escalating security concerns in the region.
Security Risks in Mountainous Areas
The office explained that the appeal was prompted by reports indicating that forests and mountainous terrains, where these prayer meetings typically occur, have increasingly become hideouts for bandits and other criminal elements. This situation poses serious threats to worshippers and the surrounding communities.
Call for Alternative Worship
In a statement issued by Dr. Abiodun Essiet, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North Central region, the office emphasized that God is omnipresent and can be worshipped anywhere. Therefore, there is no need to gather in isolated locations that are vulnerable to criminal attacks.
The statement urged residents, religious leaders, and worshippers to prioritize their safety and temporarily suspend such gatherings until security conditions in the affected areas improve.
Cooperation with Security Agencies
The office also appealed to citizens to support and cooperate with security agencies that are working diligently to sustain peace, protect lives, and strengthen security across communities in the North Central region. According to the office, public vigilance and collective support remain essential in the ongoing efforts to combat insecurity and safeguard lives and property.
