Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has felicitated Muslim faithful in the state and the nation as whole on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, urging unity, tolerance, sacrifice, and hope.

Mbah, in his Eid goodwill message on Tuesday, also called for charity, urging Nigerians to rise in solidarity with one another, especially the less privileged.

He said, “On the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Enugu State and across Nigeria as they commemorate this sacred festival of faith, sacrifice, and devotion to Almighty Allah.

“Eid-el-Kabir reminds us that sacrifice lies at the very heart of true service to God and humanity. It calls to mind the profound blessings inherent in the virtues of patience, obedience, trust, and unwavering faith – values exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and which remain timeless lessons for us all.

“At a time when our nation continues to navigate important political and economic transitions, the significance of this celebration becomes even more profound.

“Let us be reminded that we all belong to one shared humanity and our collective progress as a people depends on our ability to uphold unity, mutual respect, peace, and compassion above all divisions.

“This season, therefore, offers us another opportunity to recommit ourselves to the ideals of tolerance, sacrifice for the common good, and solidarity with one another, especially the vulnerable among us.

“As we celebrate, I urge all citizens to continue to pray for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our dear state and nation. Let us also continue to work together in harmony to build a society defined by justice, opportunity, and shared progress for all.”

He concluded by wishing the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

• As Akpabio, Barau, Abass, govs call for sacrifice, unity, national renewal

President Bola Tinubu declared, yesterday, that Nigeria’s difficult period of economic reforms was over, saying the dark days were over and light is here.

The President’s message came as Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Jubril Barau; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass and governors called for sacrifice, unity and national renewal.

Tinubu said the sacrifices of Nigerians of the past three years had yielded a more stable economy, adding that the country was now positioned as a preferred investment destination.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful in Nigeria and across the world, Tinubu linked the sacrifice and the economic hardships Nigerians had endured under his administration’s reform programme.

He declared that the reforms were now delivering results but acknowledged that terrorists and bandits continued to attack communities and pledged that they would be defeated.

“Just as sacrifice brings reward, I am happy that the sacrifices and efforts we have made over the past three years have yielded a more stable economy, making our country a preferred investment destination that will drive job creation and economic growth. The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here,” Tinubu stated.

While noting that he remained confident that the reforms would continue to yield improved security and greater opportunities, the President said: “By the Grace of God, the reforms we have diligently pursued will continue to yield improved security and greater opportunities for all.”

On security, he acknowledged that insecurity had persisted in parts of the country, even after significant operational successes, including the recent joint Nigeria-US elimination of the ISIS senior leader, Abu-Bilal al-Manuki, in the Lake Chad Basin.

He said: “I am aware that, despite the best efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, including the recent elimination of a wanted ISIS leader, heartless terrorists and bandits still attack some communities.

“I assure you: you are neither abandoned nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the forces of evil.’’

He also used the message to call on religious and community leaders to pray for peace and the country’s leadership, and extend charity to the less privileged during the celebration.

Akpabio, Barau, Abass call for sacrifice, unity, national renewal

In his congratulatory message to Muslim faithful, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, called for sacrifice, unity and national renewal.

In the message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate president noted that the occasion called for prayer and sober reflection on the theme of sacrifice.

He said: “This sacred occasion reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.

“These timeless virtues of devotion, selflessness, and submission to divine will are values our nation desperately needs today.

“As you share with the less privileged and extend love to neighbours of all faiths, you embody the true spirit of Nigeria.

“To all Nigerians, I urge us to use this solemn period to pray fervently for peace, security, and prosperity in our land. Let us pray for our troops in the frontlines, for farmers to return safely to their fields, and for unity to prevail over division in our Nation.”

On his part, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), called for sustained prayers, unity, and support for the poor and vulnerable in the society as Muslims celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

In a special Sallah message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau rejoiced with Muslims, and urged all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and the continued progress of the country.

He said: “I wish Muslims and, indeed, all Nigerians, a peaceful and memorable Eid-El-Kabir. This season reminds us of total submission to the will of Allah, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim. True believers must uphold the values of sacrifice, obedience, tolerance, justice and charity.”

Speaker Abbas greets Muslims, calls for special prayers

In his message, speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, called for renewed charity to one another, especially the poor, the needy, and the less privileged in the society, adding this was a major tenet of Islam.

In the Sallah message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Speaker Abbas noted the significance of the celebration, saying it symbolised total submission to the will of Allah (SWT) as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

The speaker said there were several lessons to learn from the life of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), including faith in Allah (SWT) and submission and obedience to constituted authorities.

“This period calls for a deep reflection,’’ he noted.

Speaker Abbas urged Nigerians to remain selfless and sacrifice their lives, time, and resources to the worship of Allah (SWT) and humanity.

Okpebholo, Oborevwori sue for peace, unity in Sallah messages

Governors Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, and his counterpart in Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, also yesterday, called for unity, peace and co-existence on the occasion of the Muslim’s Eid-al-Adha celebration.

They urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, love and peaceful coexistence as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

Okpebholo in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, said the celebration remaind a significant period for “reflection, devotion and commitment to the will of Almighty Allah,’’ stressing that the lessons of the festival should inspire citizens to work together for the peace, unity and development of the state and the nation at large”

He commended the Muslim faithful in Edo State for their continued prayers, support and contributions towards the growth and stability of the state, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, infrastructural development and improved welfare for all residents.

Oborevwori, on his part, extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Delta State and across Nigeria, urging them to offer special prayers for peace, unity and development of the nation.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the governor called on Muslim faithful to embrace the spirit of sacrifice, compassion, and selflessness which the Eid-el-Kabir celebration symbolised.

An estimated 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria in groups ranging from 10 to 1,000 members, according to a May 2026 report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

The report, titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” described the militants as some of the deadliest non-state actors responsible for religious freedom violations in the country.

According to the commission, attacks carried out by armed actors of Fulani ethnic background have intensified insecurity across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and Southern regions, resulting in thousands of deaths, mass displacement and worsening tensions between religious communities.

“Violence by Fulani militants caused the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the last year as compared to attacks by organised insurgent groups and criminal gangs,” the report stated.

The commission noted that while many of the attacks targeted Christian communities, Muslim communities had also suffered killings, kidnappings and raids.

USCIRF stated that although the groups lack centralised leadership, some periodically collaborate with criminal gangs and extremist organisations.

“These actors operate in a variety of contexts and with a multiplicity of likely aims and motivations,” the report explained.

“While many Fulani militant groups wage independent attacks, others periodically coordinate with a wide range of other actors, from conventional bandit gangs seeking financial enrichment to recognised terrorist organisations that espouse a violent interpretation of Islam.”

The report stated that militants often attack isolated rural communities at night using motorcycles, automatic weapons and machetes.

“They often wield machetes and descend on vulnerable communities during the night, eliciting terror as a way to force victims to quickly leave and to achieve greater control of desired land,” USCIRF stated.

According to the commission, attacks by Fulani militants and other armed groups have displaced at least 1.3 million people across the Middle Belt, many of whom now live in overcrowded camps with poor sanitation and limited security.

The report highlighted several deadly incidents recorded in 2025 and early 2026, including mass killings in Benue State and Plateau State.

“One attack in Benue in June 2025 killed at least 200 people, including internally displaced persons living in a Catholic mission,” the report stated.

USCIRF also referenced the massacre in Yelwata, where more than 200 Christians, “mostly sleeping women and children,” were reportedly killed and over 3,000 displaced.

The commission further alleged that some attacks were deliberately timed to coincide with Christian religious celebrations.

“Militant actors have often carried out operations during Christian holidays such as Christmas or Easter to further maximise the psychological impact,” the report stated.
It added that in February 2026, suspected Fulani militants reportedly killed at least 32 persons in Niger State and attacked Holy Trinity Parish in the Kafanchan Diocese of Kaduna State, killing three persons and abducting 11 others, including parish priest Father Nathaniel Asuwaye.
The report also documented attacks on Muslim communities, including the kidnapping of an imam and seven worshippers from a mosque in Plateau in February 2026, with the abductors reportedly demanding ₦16 million ransom.
USCIRF said Palm Sunday and Easter attacks in April 2026 left dozens dead in Plateau, Kaduna and Benue states.
“On Easter Sunday, Fulani militants reportedly killed five worshippers at two churches in Kaduna State while abducting 31 others,” the report stated.
The commission noted that differing narratives surrounding the violence had complicated efforts to fully determine the motives behind the attacks.

“Some observers have argued that environmental and economic factors are the driving force behind Fulani militants’ acts of violence, while others have suggested that these actors are engaged in a concerted campaign of outright genocide against non-Muslims, especially Christians,” the report stated.

“In fact, multiple and overlapping factors, including religion in many cases, likely spur Fulani militants to attack communities or individuals.”

USCIRF criticised federal and state authorities for what it described as inadequate responses to the violence, noting that victims frequently accused security agencies of responding slowly to attacks.

The report also stated that some Christian advocacy groups alleged bias by security agencies in favour of Muslim communities during investigations and security operations.

According to the commission, governors from 11 Nigerian states launched an initiative in June 2025 to establish ranches for herders as part of efforts to reduce clashes over grazing routes and farmland.

At the federal level, the report linked renewed government action to the October 2025 decision by Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations.

Following the designation, President Bola Tinubu reportedly classified kidnappers and violent armed groups, including Fulani militants, as terrorists in December 2025, according to USCIRF.