…amidst rumour of planned attack by council workers

ILORIN–FOLLOWING rumoured planned by aggrieved local government workers from the 16 council areas in the state and their supporters to attack the governor and other government officials over unpaid salaries and other benefits, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and other top officials, yesterday stayed away from the popular Yidi praying ground, along Irewolede area of Ilorin, to observe the annual prayers to mark the end of Ramadan fast.

Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed

Ahead of yesterday’s prayers, soldiers from Sobi barrack Ilorin, policemen and other para military groups were Tuesday night stationed in strategic positions to provide security during Idul-Fitri prayer.

Similarly, as a precaution against possible unpleasant situation and ensure a hitch-free prayers, the programme which would have started by 10am, commenced by  8am  and ended by 10 am when worshippers were just assembling to participate in the prayers.

Some of the Muslim faithful who came later, returned home disappointed as there was no Iman to pray for them.

Vanguard learned that Governor Ahmed and other top government officials held their prayers in a private mosque in Ilorin under the headship of Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashr with other Muslims worshippers.

Earlier, the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, in a statement by its State Secretary, Abayomi Afolabi, dissociated itself from any person or group planning to use the prevailing circumstances to perpetrate any nefarious activity before, during and after Sallah festivity.

Similarly, in a statement jointly signed by the State chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Yekini Kareem Agunbiade; his Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, Olumoh Nasir, and State Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, JNC-Trade Union Side, Kehinde Kolawole, appealed to workers to remain calm and law abiding as the state governor had assured that efforts were on to clear the arrears.