TheCable

Saheed Ashafa, president of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos state, says about 5000 Muslims are expected to break their fast together and pray for the release of Leah Sharibu and other abducted Nigerians.

This was made known in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, the prayer will hold at the Lagos secretariat mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday.

Ashafa said the programme tagged “Iftar5000” would also avail the Muslims an opportunity to pray for security in Nigeria.

He said Muslims would be utilising the blessings of the month of Ramadan to beseech Allah’s mercy on Nigeria, adding that with strong faith and sincere devotion, Nigeria’s challenges will be a thing of the past.

“Ramadan offers a unique opportunity for the quick answering of prayers,” Ashafa said.

“We have been concerned about the increasing rate of kidnappings, and killings among other security challenges confronting Nigeria. During the Iftar5000, we will be praying for an end to these.

“We will also pray for the return of Leah Sharibu and others in kidnappers’ den, new leaders that will be taking their oath of offices on May 29 and end to global trial and challenges confronted by Muslims.

“We, therefore, urge all Muslim faithful to join us as we stage a public session of prayer. With the way Nigeria is going, it has shown that divine intervention is highly needed.

“While we won’t stop praying, we call on government and security agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens in the country.”

Sharibu was the only Christian girl among the 112 girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram insurgents from Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe state, on February 19, 2018.

While the other girls were released, Sharibu was held back for reportedly refusing to denounce her faith.

She marked her 16th birthday in Boko Haram custody on Tuesday.