President Muhammadu Buhari last night called on Nigerians to pray for the return of peace, love and prosperity throughout the country as Muslims commence the 2015 Ramadan fast.

In a congratulatory message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President also directed an appeal to the perpetrators of violence and destruction in the name of Islam all over the world to desist from tarnishing the name of the religion.

According to Shehu, Buhari implored Muslims to seek maximum benefits from the Ramadan period "by being helpful to all manner of people, learning and following the true message of the religion as taught by the Holy Prophet.

"As we make collective efforts to bring to a permanent end the menace of the Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin countries, let me use this auspicious occasion to appeal to our misguided brothers to drop their arms, embrace peace and seek a better understanding of Islam during this Holy period and beyond".

Shehu added that the President who prayed Allah to bring peace and harmony to all parts of the country and the world at large said, "I wish all our citizens a blessed Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem Mubarak".