Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Borno State Government has announced a temporary restriction of all vehicular and human movement across the state's 27 local government areas from 6:00 am to 11:00 am on Eid day, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, as part of measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of Eid-el-Kabir prayers amidst heightened security alerts from military and intelligence agencies. The directive, which covers all vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles, was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, by the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, on behalf of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. The restriction exempts security agencies, ambulances and emergency vehicles, fire service personnel, and essential duty staff with valid identification cards.
Governor Zulum, who also flagged off the distribution of palliatives under the Renewed Hope Initiative to vulnerable residents ahead of the Sallah celebration, called on residents to go to Eid grounds nearest to their homes to ensure efficient movement and ease of identification and access for security personnel. The governor urged parents to caution their wards against any breach of peace and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to security, reconstruction, and resettlement of communities affected by over a decade of Boko Haram insurgency. "Residents are urged to comply and cooperate with security operatives across the 27 LGAs," the statement read, as the government also felicitated with the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, and the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-al-Kabir.
The movement restriction comes against the backdrop of a fresh security alert issued by the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), which warned of possible isolated attacks by remnant Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters targeting civilian populations during the Sallah festivities. In a statement on Monday, May 25, the Theatre Command advised members of the public to take precautionary measures, including observing Eid prayers in neighbourhood mosques where possible, avoiding large open gatherings, and maintaining heightened vigilance in crowded places such as markets, motor parks, banking halls, and prayer grounds. The military also urged residents to report any suspicious persons, unattended objects, or unusual movements to the nearest military checkpoint or police station.
The history of movement restrictions during religious festivals in Borno State is long and painful. Since the escalation of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2011, residents of Borno State have been compelled to celebrate religious festivals under curfews or movement bans, following increased bomb attacks and other violent acts by the terrorist group. During Eid-el-Fitr in July 2014, military authorities imposed a ban on all vehicular movement in Maiduguri after a tip-off that insurgents were planning to blow up certain areas of the city. In September 2015, the Nigerian Army announced a restriction of movement in Borno State for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, banning even bicycles, horses, camels, and donkeys in Maiduguri. In June 2018, Muslim worshippers were forced to trek long distances to prayer grounds as vehicular movements were banned in both Borno and Yobe states to forestall any security breach. While the security situation has improved significantly under Governor Zulum, with the resettlement of communities and the return of Eid prayers to previously inaccessible areas, the threat of isolated attacks by remnant terrorist elements remains real.
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration amid nationwide security deployments. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays in a statement released on Monday, May 25, as military and police forces intensified patrols across the country. The Nigerian military has assured residents of the North-East region of robust security arrangements ahead of the celebrations, with troops forward-deployed to critical and vulnerable locations, and surveillance assets fully activated. The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI has also warned that any attempt to disrupt the peaceful conduct of Eid prayers would be met with overwhelming force.
The Borno State Government's decision to impose a six-hour movement restriction is consistent with its longstanding policy of balancing the spiritual needs of the Muslim faithful with the imperative of protecting lives and property. Governor Zulum, who has prioritised the return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes and the reconstruction of destroyed communities, views the temporary inconvenience as a necessary sacrifice for lasting peace. "The restriction covers all vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles. Residents are advised to go to Eid grounds nearest to their homes, in order to ensure efficient movement and ease of identification and access," the statement reiterated.
As the people of Borno State prepare to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir on Wednesday, the juxtaposition of festive joy with stringent security measures serves as a reminder of the fragile peace that has been painstakingly achieved after years of war. The cooperation of residents with security operatives will be critical to ensuring a hitch-free celebration. Governor Zulum, in his Sallah message, called for prayers for the peace and stability of Borno State and Nigeria at large, and reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to the security, reconstruction, and resettlement of all communities affected by the insurgency. Eid Mubarak.
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