Borno Restricts Movement, Security Beef-Up Nat

State governments and security agencies have announced a raft of measures aimed at ensuring security as the nation marks the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The measures, including the protection of national assets and vulnerable locations, come amid ongoing security challenges and a recent alert over possible attacks during the festive period.

In Borno State, the government announced a temporary restriction on vehicular and human movement across the state to ensure the peaceful conduct of Eid prayers.

The restriction, approved by Governor Babagana Zulum, will take effect from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday and will apply to all vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles.

The measure follows a security advisory issued by the Nigerian military warning of possible terrorist attacks in crowded locations across the country.

The Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, in a statement, said the restriction was aimed at enhancing security during the Eid celebrations.

“Residents are advised to go to the Eid grounds nearest to their homes to ensure efficient movement and ease of identification and access,” Tar said.

He, however, noted that security agencies, ambulances and other emergency responders, fire service personnel, and essential duty staff with valid identification would be exempted from the restriction.

The commissioner urged residents across the state’s 27 local government areas to comply with the directive and cooperate with security operatives.

He also called on parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against actions capable of disrupting public peace.

Zulum, in his message, urged residents to offer prayers for lasting peace in Borno State and Nigeria, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to security, reconstruction and resettlement efforts.

Meanwhile, security agencies have announced massive deployments across the country.

The Kwara State police command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said extensive security measures had been put in place to guarantee peaceful celebrations across the state.

The command disclosed that strategic deployments had been ordered across Eid prayer grounds, recreational centres, highways, motor parks, critical national assets and other vulnerable locations to prevent any breakdown of law and order during and after the festivities.

According to the police, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, tactical commanders and other operational units had been directed to dominate public spaces before, during and after the celebrations through coordinated security operations.

The statement added that personnel from tactical and conventional units would conduct visibility policing, intelligence-driven surveillance, vehicular patrols, stop-and-search operations and crowd control activities aimed at curbing criminal activity.

The command warned residents against erecting tents, canopies or any form of obstruction on public roads and highways, saying such acts pose security and traffic risks.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, obey traffic regulations and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or emergency lines.

In the Federal Capital Territory, the police command said it had deployed Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams to worship centres, recreational facilities and other public venues.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the command had intensified security operations across the territory in collaboration with other security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigerian Immigration Service, under a joint arrangement codenamed “Operation Sweep FCT.”

She said the operation has been divided into strategic sectors, with personnel carrying out continuous patrols and coordinated operations aimed at preventing and responding to criminal activities.

As part of the preventive strategy, EOD teams have also been directed to conduct proactive sweeps of designated worship centres and venues expected to host large gatherings.

The Command added that intelligence-led operations and raids on identified flashpoints and drug-related locations had also been ordered, with officers directed to ensure professionalism and adherence to the law.

In Jigawa State, the police command said it had deployed operatives and activated all operational assets to guarantee a peaceful and hitch-free festive period.

According to the Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, personnel have been deployed across Eid prayer grounds, recreational centres, markets, highways, motor parks and other public places.

He said personnel from tactical and conventional units, including the Violent Crime Response Unit, patrol teams, intelligence operatives, traffic officers, EOD and PMF personnel, as well as undercover operatives, had been strategically positioned across the state.

The command added that it is working with other security agencies and stakeholders, while intensifying intelligence gathering, confidence-building patrols, stop-and-search operations and surveillance activities.

In Delta State, the police command also announced the deployment of personnel across the state to ensure adequate security during the festive period.

According to the spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, the deployment covers officers drawn from Area Commands, tactical teams, divisions and other operational units, positioned at Eid prayer grounds, major highways, recreational centres and other vulnerable points.

He said the command would work in collaboration with the military, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC and other agencies to ensure safety before, during and after the celebrations.

The Commissioner of Police has directed intensified intelligence gathering, visibility policing, raids of criminal hideouts, stop-and-search operations and sustained patrols across the state.

He also warned criminal elements to stay away from the state, assuring that the command is prepared to respond decisively to any threat to public peace.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it has deployed over 56,000 personnel nationwide to ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

According to its National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the deployment was aimed at protecting lives, property and critical national infrastructure.

He said the Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, ordered the mobilisation of operational vehicles, ambulances, boats and K9 units for rapid emergency response.

Afolabi added that specialised tactical squads, including the Mining Marshals, Special Intelligence Squad, Crack Squad, Female Special Force and Rapid Response Squad, have been placed on high alert.

He said zonal commanders had been directed to supervise field operations, while state commandants are to ensure strict compliance across formations.

The NSCDC also warned individuals or groups planning to disrupt public peace or vandalise infrastructure to desist, noting that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.

In Lagos, the NSCDC said it deployed 2,150 personnel to protect critical assets and curb vandalism during the festivities.

According to its spokesperson, Oluwaseun Abolurin, personnel have been stationed at strategic locations, including religious centres, parks, pipelines, and other critical national assets.

The Lagos State Commandant, Mr Adedotun Keshinro, charged officers to remain professional, alert and respectful of citizens’ rights while carrying out their duties before, during and after the celebrations.