The Federal Government has declared Monday, 26th and Tuesday 27th June 2017 as public holiday to mark Id-El Fitr celebration.

Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, made the declaration on Thursday on behalf of the Federal Government. He enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the celebration for sober reflection and pray for peace, unity and progress of the nation in its march to nationhood.

Gen. Dambazau urged all Nigerians “to shun hate speeches and divisive tendencies and join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to build a peaceful, strong and united Nigeria, which guarantees fundamental freedoms, including the right of residence in any part of the country, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The Minister reaffirmed the determination of the administration to protect all lives and property of Nigerians. He warned that the will of the administration “should not be tested as to its capability to deploy security agencies to deal with any individual or group that may threaten the corporate existence of the nation, as well as the peaceful co-existence of the people.”

Dambazau assured Nigerians of the government’s resolve to be just and fair to all. He wished Nigerians a peaceful and rewarding celebration.