Kidnapping: Cleric advocates one month special prayers for peace, unity

Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Central Mosque, Dr. Bashir Yankuzu, has urged the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, to order Muslims to embark on special “Al-Qunuut” prayer daily to seek Allah’s intervention in ending kidnapping and other security challenges in the country.

Yankuzu, made the call in an interview in Minna.

“There was a case of some people held hostages at the time of the Prophet Mohammad (PUH), as a result of that they resorted to special prayers called “Al-Qunuut.

‘’I wish to request the leadership of the Muslims under Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, to declare special prayers for that purpose to end kidnapping, cattle rushing, armed robbery and other social vices.

“Significantly, we are now in the month of Sha’aban, the immediate month before Ramadan, so that we enter the blessed month of Ramadan in prayers to Almighty Allah.

“I am highly hopefully that Allah will answer our prayers in solving the security challenges and other challenges the country is currently facing.

The Christians can also do their prayers in their special way because we are all facing the same challenges and we are all servants of the same merciful God who answers the complaints of the distressed,” he said.

He noted that frequent payers would help Nigeria tackle terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, farmers/herdsmen clash and other vices.

Yankuzu stressed that Nigerians irrespective of their faith, should intensify prayers for the country to overcome the present insecurity challenges which posed great threats to the nation’s corporate existence.

“Nigerians irrespective of religion, ethnic and party affiliations should go on their knees and commit the issues of kidnapping, militancy, cattle rustling and armed robbery to God.

“The issue of insecurity is a very serious issue that is beyond politics. It affects everybody.

Its complexities, especially in this era of technology, requires not just human effort but also prayers to the Almighty God,” he added.

He said Kidnapping and senseless killings of innocent Nigerians was becoming a big challenge.