By Bode Olushegun
The Eid prayer was observed peacefully in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, amid tight security and partial observance of COVID-19 protocols.
Terrorists, suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram group had, on Thursday, fired mortars in the city
Ramat Square, venue of the main Eid ground witnessed a large turnout of worshippers, including Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, Senators representing Central and North Borno Kashim Shettima and Abubakar Kyari, Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Elkanemi among other dignitaries.
In a brief sermon shortly after the prayers, Imam Idaini of Borno, Shettima Mamman Saleh, enjoined Muslims to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice especially during this period of Coronavirus pandemic as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.
He prayed for lasting peace in Borno and other parts of the country and also for the quick end to the ravaging COVID-19.
High point of the eid prayer was the symbolic slaughtering of the ram by Imam Idaini.
In a sallah message shortly after the prayers, Governor Babagana Zulum said he would continue to invest in security, agriculture and youths empowerment to end the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency.
He appreciated the immense support of the President and the entire people of the state for rallying round his administration, assuring them that his administration would do more for the betterment of ordinary citizen.
