The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja on Monday.

While congratulating the Muslim faithful, the Minister said “all Nigerians, at home and abroad to use the period of this year’s Eidul-Fitr celebration to pray for peace, stability and economic transformation in the land”.

A statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, quoted Aregbesola as congratulating the Muslim faithful on the occasion.

Aregbesola, who believes that development cannot thrive in a rancorous atmosphere, urged all “Nigerians to be law-abiding and embrace the spirit of love, self-discipline, kindness, and tolerance, as taught by the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him)”.

The minister also called on all security agencies in the country to “be more courageous and patriotic to surmount the ongoing battle against resurging insecurity and activities of criminal elements in Nigeria”.

He assured that the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari-led’s administration to end the scourge of crime and criminality in the country and restore peace to every nook and cranny of Nigeria was sacrosanct.

“This administration will not be deterred in its efforts, until every Nigerian and resident of the country, is free to move around without fear of any threat to his/her life and property. We are therefore putting necessary measures and strategies in place to strengthen the stability of the country as well as ensuring economic prosperity of our dear nation,” he emphasised.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and the holiday begins according to the sighting of the new moon.

The service is in line with the three days of fasting and prayer organised by the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, which ends today, while the Islamic prayer was held on Friday in Abuja where special prayers were rendered against the deadly virus.

Recall that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Wednesday asked Christians and Muslims to embark on 3 days as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise across the country.

This comes as the nation records 603 more COVID-19 cases, raising the nation’s total confirmed infections above the 28,000 mark.

Meanwhile, Nigeria currently has a total number of 28,167 infections of the COVID-19 disease, with a fatality rate of 634.