Muslims in Nigeria at the weekend observed low key Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in most parts of the country.

Parks and recreational centres which were usually busy at previous events were almost empty when Nigerian Pilot visited them.

At the popular Millennium Park, Abuja, only a few families and some youths were seen, while vendors who usually storm the area with their wares did not show up.

The situation was not different at Jabi Lake, when our correspondent visited.

Some fun seekers attributed the development to the security challenges facing the country, while others said the harsh economic situation in the country contributed to it.

One of the visitors to the Millennium Park, Adamu Ahmed said: “We came here as early as 11am but this is past 4pm but the place is almost empty. People are afraid to come out because of this Boko Haram problem. People are not free to come out again, everybody is afraid that is why this place is empty.”

But another fun seeker, Ibrahim Yusuf said: “People don’t have money. Some families could not even buy ram because there is no money. I think this is the reason for the low turnout.|

It was also gathered that the situation was not different in most northern states with huge Muslim population.

The nation’s capital was relatively peaceful throughout the celebrations. The usual busy roads in both the city centre and the satellite towns were quite as only a few motorists were on the roads.

Consequently, commuters were stranded in some motor parks while operators of a few vehicles that showed up, charged exorbitant fares.

“Before now, I do pay N100 or N150 from Nyanya to Wuse or Garki Area 1, but am surprise to hear from the drivers that the fare from Nyanya to Wuse or area 1 has risen to N200. As it is now, I have no option than to board because to going to work, and am already running late” a commuter lamented.

Musa Abdulkadir, a fun seeker at the Silver Bird Galleria, told Nigerian Pilot that he left his house in Nyanya to catch the fun available in the place. He added that he had so far watched movies and played several video games.

Also, Kayode Abdulmumini, a Muslim said he was in the park because it is only during celebration such as this that his parents allow him to visit such places.

Chidimma Nnabuike, despite being a Christian, said she had to join her Muslim friends to celebrate the Sallah. “I have many Muslim friends both in school and in my neighbourhood. I joined them in eating the rice and meat on Saturday, and they have invited me to join them in the celebration here in Millennium Park today (yesterday), so there is no way I can say no.”

In Yobe and Borno states, where the insurgents had been on rampage, the military declared a travel ban for the duration of the Muslim holidays to guard against Boko Haram attacks. The military in Yobe arrested dozens of suspected Boko Haram militants who had allegedly sneaked into Damaturu, the state capital and Potiskum to launch attacks on Eid praying grounds.

According to Agence French Presses, AFP, a senior security source said that, “We have in the last three days made 57 arrests of suspected Boko Haram terrorists who infiltrated Potiskum in preparation for planned massive attacks during the Eid celebrations.”

 “They were arrested in different parts of the town and they were sent in advance, while weapons they were to use in the planned attacks were to be smuggled in later,” the source said.

The travel lockdown prevented many residents from buying lambs or other livestock for the traditional sacrifices during the ceremony.

A resident of Damaturu, Lawanti Musa said: “Rams are cheaper in the countryside and my plan was to go to a rural market to buy one for the sacrifice, but the restriction on movement has deprived me of that opportunity.”