The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration amid heightened security alerts and nationwide deployments by military and law enforcement agencies to forestall possible attacks during the festivities.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays in a statement issued on Monday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani.
According to the statement, the declaration reflected the Federal Government’s recognition of the spiritual significance of Eid-el-Kabir to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.
Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to use the period to pray for peace, security and national prosperity, while calling for unity and peaceful coexistence among citizens.
“The Federal Government urges all Nigerians to use this period for prayer and sober reflection, asking for divine guidance upon the country as it continues its pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for every citizen,” the statement read.
The holiday declaration came as security agencies across the country announced large-scale deployments and heightened surveillance following intelligence reports of possible attacks by terrorist groups during the Sallah celebrations.
The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, said troops had been placed on high alert across the North-East ahead of the celebrations.
In a statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt Col Sani Uba, the military warned that remnants of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province might attempt isolated attacks on civilian targets using suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices.
“Credible intelligence available to the command indicates the possibility of isolated attempts by remnant Boko Haram Terrorist and Islamic State West Africa Province elements to exploit the festive period to carry out attacks against civilian targets using suicide bombers and IEDs, particularly in areas of high population concentration,” the statement said.
The military, however, assured residents that comprehensive countermeasures had been activated across the theatre of operation.
According to the command, troops had been forward-deployed to vulnerable locations, while surveillance operations, patrols and intelligence activities had been intensified in collaboration with sister security agencies, the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilante groups.
“The command remains resolute in its determination to deny terrorists any freedom of action and ensure that the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations proceed in an atmosphere of peace, safety, and dignity for all,” the statement added.
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