The army has announced the ban of all vehicle movement in Borno State from Christmas Eve to Sunday morning to prevent attacks by Boko Haram terrorists
Neighbouring Yobe has also barred vehicles from entering or leaving the state.
Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said security reports indicated that Boko Haram planned to launch “massive attacks” during the Christmas period in Borno, especially on the state capital Maiduguri.
In order to guarantee public safety, people would not be able to travel by road in Borno from 6pm on Wednesday to 7am on Sunday.
People providing essential services such as medical care would be exempted, Col Usman said.
The move is aimed at preventing Boko Haram from transporting explosives in cars or using motorbikes to carry out hit-and-run raids, he says.
The less restrictive travel ban in Yobe is not surprising, as it has not been as badly affected as Borno by the insurgency, he adds.
Boko Haram has a record of carrying out deadly strikes against Christians at Christmas.
The group bombed the St Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State on Christmas Day 2011, killing at least 43 people.
At least 32 people were killed on Christmas Eve 2010 in bomb blasts targeting churches in Plateau State.
