In spite of the October 23 bomb blast outside the new mosque in Jambutu area of Yola, Adamawa State, which claimed many lives, worshippers turned out en masse to observe the Juma’at congregational prayer at the mosque on Friday.
The mosque was bombed last week Friday by suspected Boko Haram terrorists just as it was opened for use after renovation.
“Many of us deliberately came here to tell the terrorists that they cannot intimidate us,” a worshipper, who simply identified himself as Habibu, told the News Agency of Nigeria.
A NAN correspondent who prayed at the mosque, reports that policemen and members of religious aid groups conducted search on worshippers at the only entrance to the mosque that was open.
All the other entrances were closed at 12noon.
The Chief Imam of the Mosque, Mallam Mohammad Ibn-Usman, whose sermon dwelt on condolence to families of those who lost their lives in the bomb blast, lauded the turn out and the conduct of the worshippers.
Ibn-Usman urged the Muslim faithful not to relent in their prayers for peace in Nigeria, especially in the North East.
The cleric stressed the need for the people to support the security agencies to ensure security of lives and property
In a related development, ASP Ahmed Suleiman, the Chief Imam of Police Barracks Jum’at Mosque, Yola, told NAN that all the gates into the mosque would be shut by 2pm from now on.
Suleiman said: “Worshippers should endeavour to come for prayers as early as possible to avoid rush.
“The gates will be shut by 2pm on Fridays.
“It is not proper for worshipers to troop in when salat is on.
“It causes distraction and makes people lose concentration.
“Concentration is necessary during prayers.”
Suleiman spoke while commenting on new security measures adopted by the authorities to ensure security of lives and properties of worshippers.
