MILITARY AUTHORITY DECLARED THREE DAYS OF TREKKING FOR RESIDENTS IN MAIDUGURI

The military authority in Borno state has declared three days of trekking for residents of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, to avert alleged plots by the extremist Boko Haram sect to detonate multiple bombs in parts of the troubled city using different kinds of vehicles.

According to the source, the Boko Haram insurgents, which has now discreetly infiltrated the city  after many months of being fenced away from it by the Civilian-JTF, have perfected plans to mar the Eid-El-Fitri (Muslims’ end of fasting celebrations) by using cars for suicide bombings at various Eid prayer grounds.

A statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Muhammad Dole,  a colonel, said the insurgents had perfected plans to use all kinds of vehicles, including motorcycles,  tricycles and even bicycles, to detonate bombs when men,  women and children converge at various prayer grounds to  perform their prayers.

Mr. Dole’s statement initially said the ban would take effect from July 28 and would remain in force till July 30.

But the policy, which take-off date was hinged on the date announced by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for Eid-El-Fitri festivities, has now taken effect on Sunday (today) with the Sultan of Sokoto and the President of the NSCIA , Abubakar Sa’ad, announcing the sighting of the moon on Saturday and the end of Ramadan.