There was tight security in Kwara State, especially in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as Muslims celebrated the Eid-el-Fitri on Monday.

Both plain and heavily armed clothed security operatives were at the different prayer grounds in the state to ensure security for the worshippers.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Command, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday, said the command deployed 2,200 of its personnel to ensure security in the state during the festivities.

The Punch correspondent gathered that the celebrations were peaceful across the state as there was no violence recorded as of the time of filing the story.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, prior to the prayers at the Ilorin general Eid Ground urged Muslims to shun actions capable of bringing disunity in the country, adding that they should ensure peace in the country.

The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammad Soliu, in his sermon shortly after the prayers, enjoined Muslims to continue to exhibit love, forgiveness, sacrifice, peaceful co-existence and other positive virtues they exhibited during the month of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, the 2011 governorship candidate of the now defunct Congress for Progressive Change in Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq, and Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Razak Atunwa, have called on Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity, stability and development of Nigeria.

Abdulrazaq advised Nigerians to remain united and harmonious, adding that the unity of the nation and sense of purpose by the Federal Government were in the interest of all citizens.

He added that religious tolerance, political re-orientation and spirit of patriotism were needed for Nigeria's advancement. He called on Kwara State residents to sustain the peaceful co-existence in the state by shunning all lawlessness acts.

Atunwa, in a statement by his media aide, Alhaji Abdulrahman Sanni, said Muslims had imbibed the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance and piety, during the holy month, pointing out that the sustenance of these virtues would restore peace, unity and stability in the country.

He advised Nigerians to desist from issues that could aggravate ethno-religious and political skirmishes, insurgence, nepotism and other factors threatening the stability and corporate existence of Nigeria.

Atunwa said that as the nation was preparing for general elections in 2015, politicians must avoid a 'do-or-die' politics and strengthen the nation's hard-won democracy.

He stated that the interest of the nation should over-ride other parochial considerations.

Also, a former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and a member representing Ilorin East and South Federal Constituency, Dr. Ali Ahmad, on Monday called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to abstain from all forms of violence and exhibit forgiveness, patriotism, love and harmonious co-existence.

Baraje, currently a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, called on Muslims on lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia to pray for peace and tranquility to return to Nigeria.

He also lamented the high rate of moral decadence in the country and called on Muslim parents to put more efforts in the upbringing of their children and wards.

He also appealed to clerics of both Islamic and Christian persuasions to always preach peace and harmony among their followers, adding that they should have the fear of God in discharging their God-ordained duties.

Ahmad called on Nigerians, both Muslims and Christians, to be tolerant of each other so that peace would always be maintained in the country.

Ahmad, who is also the Chairman House Committee on Justice, urged Muslims to uphold the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan by refraining from sinful acts.

He called on Muslims performing the lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia to pray for the nation and the world so that peace and tranquillity could reign.

He also admonished them to pray for Nigerian leaders for better leadership of the country.

The lawmaker also asked Nigerians to pray for successful conduct of credible general elections in the country in 2015.