The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement for the North Central has called on residents and religious groups in Kwara and Kogi states to cease organizing “Ori Oke” prayer meetings in forests and on mountains, citing heightened security threats.
According to a statement from Abiodun Essiet, the SSA on Community Engagement for the North Central, these remote locations have increasingly become hideouts for bandits and other criminal elements. The statement emphasized that such gatherings could place worshippers in danger, urging them to refrain until the security situation improves.
“We appeal to the public and faith-based organizations to temporarily halt Ori Oke prayer sessions in forests and mountainous areas until peace is fully restored,” the statement read. It further noted that worship can be conducted anywhere, and forests are no longer safe due to criminal activity.
The office also called for cooperation with security agencies, which are making significant strides to maintain order and protect lives across the North Central region. Worshippers are encouraged to support these efforts by avoiding unnecessary risks.