Insecurity Forces Kwara Families to Abandon Night Mosque Prayers During Ramadan
Families in Kwara State have resorted to praying at home after dark, as escalating fears of terrorist attacks and abductions prevent them from attending mosques for night congregational prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. Residents report that recent violent incidents, including the Woro massacre, have made evening worship gatherings too risky, prioritizing survival over spiritual routines.
Communities Suspend Night Prayers Over Terror Threats
Residents of several communities in Edu and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara state have suspended night congregational prayers, such as Tarawih, Maghrib, and Isha’i, due to fears of renewed terrorist attacks. Sources indicate that Muslim faithful in areas like Gbugbu, Yikpata, Kali, Baburasa, and Gada Oli now observe their Ramadan prayers indoors as insecurity worsens across the region.
According to local accounts, this decision followed recent attacks by suspected terrorists targeting rural settlements, creating widespread panic, especially during evening and night hours when worshippers typically gather in mosques. A resident of Gbugbu explained that mosque attendance dropped sharply after armed men allegedly invaded the community during Ramadan and abducted several people.
Impact of Recent Attacks on Community Safety
Before the attacks, mosques were full during Tarawih prayers, but now, nobody wants to risk going out at night again. Another community member noted that even Maghrib and Isha’i congregational prayers, traditionally observed in large numbers during Ramadan, have been severely affected. Immediately after dark, areas become quiet as people quickly pray inside their houses, deeming movement at night too dangerous.
Residents in Kali, Baburasa, and Gada Oli said fear remains high following the massacre of 176 people in nearby Woro, an incident described as deeply traumatic for surrounding communities. This event has fundamentally altered perceptions of safety, with people no longer feeling secure gathering in crowds, especially at night.
Families Prioritize Survival Over Spiritual Practices
Despite the spiritual importance of congregational worship during Ramadan, survival has become the immediate concern for many families. One source emphasized that while the rewards of praying together, particularly Tarawih, are great, life must come first. As a result, families now pray together at home instead of venturing to mosques.
In Gada Oli, community members reported that parents have warned their children and relatives against stepping out after sunset. Elders have advised everyone to remain indoors once evening falls, with even devout individuals who never missed mosque prayers now staying home due to uncertainty about where attackers might strike next.
Calls for Increased Security and Government Intervention
Residents across the affected communities have called for increased security patrols and stronger government intervention to address the insecurity. They warn that continued fear could further disrupt religious and social life during Ramadan, undermining community cohesion and spiritual observance.
In a related development, suspected terrorists threatened Lalagi village in Kaiama LGA, demanding a N20 million levy. Farmers were intercepted and ordered to deliver this demand to village leadership, with attackers referencing recent deadly raids in neighboring communities, including Woro, and warning of dire consequences for noncompliance.
The situation highlights the broader challenges of insecurity in Kwara, where terrorist activities are forcing communities to alter long-standing religious traditions, emphasizing the urgent need for effective security measures to restore safety and normalcy.
