The Yobe State Police Command and it counterpart in Borno State have deployed special forces including men of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) to secure all praying grounds across the states 24 hrs before the prayers on Friday.
The measure according to security source is to comb all praying ground and ensure no explosive is planted at the venue before worshipers arrive for their prayers tomorrow for the Eid prayers.
Both states have also placed restriction of movement on vehicles and animals like donkeys and horses within the period of prayers.
In Yobe State, restriction of movement will begin from 10.00pm on Thursday night to 10.00m on Friday according to a statement by Abdullahi Bego, the Director General of Information and Press Affairs to Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam.
The restriction of movement Bego said will however exempt people on emergency services or those with security clearance.
In Borno State, the State Police Commisioner Damian Chukwu announced in a press briefing that over 5,000 policemen are to be deployed during the Eid-al-fitr celebration in the State.
Mr. Damian Chukwu, said recent suicide attacks on Maiduguri has called for concern during the sallah hence the need for serious security.
He said: “This year’s Sallah celebration is expected to come up on 15th June, 2018. Security arrangements, including the deployment of over 5,000 policemen have been put in place to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebration
“Because of the security threats and recent incidents of suicide bombings, there will be restriction of vehicular movements”.
He noted that “the restriction will affect all motor vehicles, tricycles, bicycles, horses, donkeys, wheelbarrows, camels, among others”.
The CP called on Muslim faithful to cooperate with security operatives and use the prayer ground close to their homes so as to arrive early for the prayers.
Meanwhile, the police in both states have since commenced ‘Show of Force’ by joint teams of all security forces during the festival.
Aerial surveillance of military aircraft have increased in the airspace of Borno and Yobe as many residents have noticed fighter jets flying at low altitudes on the cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu.