The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, Dr Abiodun Essiet, says “Ori Oke” prayer gatherings in forests and mountainous areas are increasingly being used as hideouts by bandits and other criminal elements.
In a statement issued on Monday, Dr Essiet, urged residents and religious groups in Kogi and Kwara states to suspend “Ori Oke” prayer gatherings in forests and mountainous areas over rising security concerns.
She advised residents to temporarily halt the meetings until the security situation improves, warning that continued gatherings could expose worshippers to danger.
The statement stressed that God can be worshipped anywhere, noting that forests and mountains have increasingly become operational bases for criminal groups.
It added that continued use of such locations for large gatherings poses avoidable security risks to worshippers and surrounding communities.
She urged citizens to support and cooperate with security agencies who are working tirelessly to sustain peace, protect lives, and maintain security across communities in the North Central region.
