Muslim clerics and governors in North East have called for intensified prayers to God for permanent peace to return to the region.
Making the call in their Sallah messages to the people, they said with complete submission to the will of God, the challenges were surmountable.
They also called for respect for one another to enable the achievement of the desired unity necessary for the resolution of grey areas, NAN reports.
In his message, the Deputy Chief Imam of Bauchi Central Mosque, Malam Bala Kankusurwa, urged those at the helm of affairs to lead with the fear of God.
He said the way out of the current predicament of the country was to return to God.
On his part, Speaker, Bauchi House of Assembly, Abubakar Sulaiman, said Eid-El-Kabir symbolized the extent of total submission of Prophet Abraham to the will of God.
He called on parents to ensure that they did not allow their wards to be involved in criminal activities, saying that reports during festive periods in the past indicated increase in criminal activities.
The Chief Imam of Gombe State, Malam Umar Mohammed, urged Muslim faithful in the State to continue to pray for sustainable peace and unity in the country.
The Imam stressed the need for sustainable peace in the state and the country at large, saying it was the only way the country would be united.
In his Sallah message, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State prayed for bumper harvest and sustainable peace this year.
He expressed optimism that his government would overcome the challenges he met on ground when he assumed office.
In Yobe, one of the states grappling with security challenges, Sallah was performed peacefully, with security operatives keeping vigil.
The state government had earlier issued a restriction order on movement of vehicles across the state, from Saturday 11.00 p.m, to Sunday 10.00a.m, as a proactive security measure.
The situation was the same in Borno, where the Chief Imam of Maiduguri Central Mosque, Shettima Saleh, admonished Muslim faithful to imbibe the fear of God and pray for an end to the activities of insurgents.
Also, Gov. Babagana Zulum, called on the people to pray for peace and unity, as well as support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during the festive season.
Zulum further renewed his call on insurgents to surrender and get reintegrated into the society.
While commending the military and other security agencies over the successes recorded in the counter-insurgency operation and peace building process, the governor urged the people to pray for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes.
NAN reports that the celebration was generally peacefully in Maiduguri and other local government areas of the state.
On his part, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa called on the people of the state to be tolerant and live peacefully with one another for the development of the state.
” Tolerance and living in peace with one another is our source of strength and a solution to our challenges.
” I therefore call on Muslim faithful to use the lesson of this great day of Eid-El-Kabir by emulating the good teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him ),” Fintiri said.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the Eid-El-Kabir Sallah celebration was observed peaceful across the State.
In Jigawa State, the Chief Imam of Garu Mosque in Dutse Metropolis, Sheikh Musa Bala, also enjoined Muslims to fear God and shun all vices.
The cleric urged parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children, respect constituted authorities and be security conscious.
