Nigerian Army Bans Movement In Maiduguri During The Sallah Celebration

The Nigerian Army’s 7th Division in Maiduguri has imposed a ‘freeze’ of movement to vehicles within Maiduguri and environs. Their decision is due to continuing intelligence reports of bombing plots by a number of terrorist groups, including the Boko Haram, during the Sallah celebration in Borno state.



According to Army Spokesman Col. Muhammad Dole, the Deputy Director of Army Public Information, said that some members of the Boko Haram sect have perfected plans to launch multiple bomb attacks in the Maiduguri metropolis. Their main targets include the Sallah praying ground, markets, and other public places, by using vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf, Pick Up vans, Keke NAPEP, Motorcycles, and Bicycles.

Dole noted that is the key reason all vehicle movement within the Maiduguri city region is banned from Monday, the 28th, through Wednesday, the 30th of July 2014. Members of the general public are advised to perform their Eid Fitr prayer at prayer grounds nearest to their residences. While the necessary security measures are being put in place, he said, people are requested to comply fully with this ban, as defaulters will be severely sanctioned.

He added that members of the public are also requested to report any suspicious movement of persons, or vehicles, to the nearest security agency.

Boko Haram militants have intensified their attacks through the use of suicide bombers, Dole noted, that have claimed at least fifty lives in the Borno State this week alone.