Residents of Basirka town in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State gathered for a three-day special prayer seeking rainfall.
The prolonged dry spell has caused farmlands to wither. The prayers, known as Salatul Istisqa, started on Saturday and continued on Sunday and Monday.
Hundreds of residents, including farmers, clerics, youths, men, women and children, met at the Eid ground in Basirka. They also observed a voluntary fast on Monday.
Sheikh Sanunu Basirka, the Chief Imam of Basirka, led the prayers. He urged the people to repent and seek forgiveness from Allah.
“We observed this prayer since Saturday, Sunday, and we have done it again today, Monday. We also urged the people to observe a voluntary fast today, Monday, to seek intervention from Almighty Allah,” Sanunu said.
He added that the community asked for abundant rainfall that would bring mercy and prosperity to the land.
Ibrahim Musa Dankoli, a 65-year-old farmer, said his maize and millet farms were drying up. “We have not had good rainfall for weeks, and our crops have started burning. We have no power except to return to Allah for help,” he stated.