The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello, has cancelled Eid prayers at the National Eid prayer ground on the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway (Airport Road), Abuja.

Bello made this announcement when he presided over a meeting between the FCTA and members of a delegation from the FCT League of Imams Initiative, led by its chairman, Dr. Tajudeen Adigun.

This directive is to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Recall that in recent days the Governments in Kano, Kwara, and Osun also announced the cancellation of Eid congregation prayers for Friday, but approved Juma’at services owing to the coincidence that the Eid-el- Kabir and Juma’at fall on the same day.

The FCT minister admonished worshippers to hold Eid prayers at the premises of their neighbourhoods’ Juma’at mosques.

He also warned that Eid prayers should last for a maximum of one hour only between 8 and 10 in the morning.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, the minister thanked the religious leaders for their cooperation in the battle against COVID-19 in the FCT.

As of July 29th, 2020, according to the NCDC, the FCT has recorded 3,560 cases of COVID-19 making it the second most infected State in Nigeria.

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Of the 3,560 cases, 2,442 are active carriers of the virus and are on admission, 1,077 persons have recovered and 41 fatalities have been recorded.

Also, a statement by Secretary to the Osun State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, yesterday noted that the State is still recording rising figures of confirmed COVID-19 cases with a total of 500 persons infected so far as of Wednesday, July 29th, 2020.

He said people whose COVID-19 status has not been ascertained would be travelling into the state from different parts of the country, in the spirit of the celebration and as a result, large gatherings cannot be allowed.

But, in line with the observance of the existing government protocol on COVID-19, the Lagos State Government has appealed to Muslim faithful to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir in low key.

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Commissioner for Home Affairs Prince Anofiu Elegushi, who stated this in his office, admonished Muslims to maintain moderation as they celebrate the festivities.

As of July 29th, 2020, Lagos is the country’s infection epicentre with 14,848 confirmed cases and 192 deaths, according to the NCDC.