The Presidency has called for the temporary suspension of Ori Oke prayer gatherings in parts of Kwara State and Kogi State following growing security concerns across communities in the North-Central region.
The appeal was made by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, which warned that forests, hills and mountainous areas where such prayer gatherings are often held have increasingly become hideouts for bandits and other criminal groups.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, Abiodun Essiet, urged residents, religious leaders and worshippers to place safety above all else and temporarily suspend gatherings in isolated locations until the security situation improves.
The statement explained that intelligence and security concerns in some parts of the region made it necessary to advise caution, especially for worshippers who travel to remote forests and mountains for overnight or extended prayer sessions.
According to the Presidency’s office, many of such isolated locations have become vulnerable to attacks by armed groups, kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within the region.
The office stressed that God can be worshipped anywhere and that worshippers do not necessarily need to gather in remote areas that may expose them to danger.
“God is omnipresent and can be worshipped anywhere without necessarily gathering in isolated locations vulnerable to criminal attacks,” the statement noted.
The Presidency further appealed to religious leaders to cooperate with security agencies and encourage their followers to avoid areas considered unsafe.
It also urged citizens to remain vigilant and support ongoing efforts aimed at protecting lives and restoring peace across the North-Central zone.
According to the statement, public support and cooperation remain important in the fight against insecurity.
The appeal comes amid rising concerns over kidnapping, banditry and attacks on communities in several parts of Nigeria, especially within rural and forested areas.
Security agencies have repeatedly warned citizens against travelling or gathering in isolated locations without proper security measures.
In recent years, criminal groups operating in forests across parts of the North-Central and North-West regions have carried out kidnappings, attacks on travellers and raids on communities.
Some forests stretching across Kogi, Kwara, Niger and parts of Nasarawa have reportedly become routes and hideouts for armed groups.
The development has raised fears among residents and religious groups that worshippers gathering for mountain prayers could become easy targets for kidnappers and other criminals.
Ori Oke, which means “mountain prayer” in Yoruba, is a popular religious practice among many Christian worshippers, especially in the South-West and parts of North-Central Nigeria.
The gatherings are often held on hills, mountains and remote prayer camps where worshippers spend hours or days praying and fasting.
Many believers see mountain prayer centres as sacred places for spiritual retreats, personal reflection and special religious programs.
Some of the prayer sites attract thousands of worshippers during major religious programmes and festive periods.
However, concerns over insecurity have increased in recent years as cases of attacks on religious gatherings and abductions from remote communities continue to occur.
Several kidnapping incidents involving travellers, clerics and residents have been recorded in parts of Kogi and neighbouring states over the years.
Kogi State in particular occupies a strategic position linking northern and southern Nigeria, making some of its forests and highways vulnerable to criminal activities.
Kwara State has also witnessed growing security concerns in some border communities linked to movements of armed groups across neighbouring states.
The Presidency’s latest appeal is therefore seen as part of wider efforts to reduce exposure of citizens to security threats while authorities continue operations against criminal groups.
Religious leaders have in recent times also advised worshippers to be security conscious during programs and gatherings.
Some churches have strengthened internal security at prayer camps and retreat centres, while others now work closely with local vigilante groups and security agencies during major events.
Despite the warning, many worshippers believe prayer remains important during difficult times and say spiritual activities should continue with proper safety measures.
Some residents of affected communities also expressed concern that criminal activities in forests and rural areas are beginning to disrupt religious and social activities.
A resident of Kogi State said many people now avoid travelling through isolated roads or attending night programmes in remote areas because of fear of kidnapping.
Another resident in Kwara said worshippers are becoming more cautious about attending mountain prayer sessions unless adequate security arrangements are in place.
The Presidency urged citizens not to panic but to remain alert and cooperative with security agencies.
The office also assured residents that efforts were ongoing to strengthen security operations across the North-Central region.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to tackling insecurity and improving safety across the country.
Security agencies have continued operations against bandits, kidnappers and armed groups in several states, although attacks still persist in some areas.
For now, the Presidency’s appeal has added to ongoing national discussions on how insecurity is affecting religious activities, movement of people and everyday life in many parts of Nigeria.