MAIDUGURI
The Nigerian military on Friday declared a four-day curfew in the embattled northeastern Borno State, citing threats of attack by the Boko Haram militant group during the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, which will begin Saturday.
In a statement, Col. Sani Usman, deputy director of public relations for the army's 7th Division (based in Maiduguri, Borno's provincial capital), cited intelligence reports indicating that Boko Haram was planning attacks in the state during the Muslim feast.
"All manner of vehicular movement is banned throughout the state from 5pm on Friday… to 7am on Monday," Usman said.
"The intelligence report reveals that Boko Haram terrorists have perfected plans to launch multiple bomb explosions in Maiduguri metropolis and other major towns across Borno State during Eid al-Kabir [Eid al-Adha] celebrations," the release said.
According to the statement, militants could use "motorcycles, tricycles etc.," while "their main targets include Sallah praying grounds, markets and other public [sites]."
He therefore urged Muslims to perform Eid prayers at praying grounds near their homes.
The military took similar measures in the state during the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday two months ago when it imposed a 48-hour curfew, citing "security threats" from Boko Haram.
Boko Haram, which says it wants to impose Islamic Law in Nigeria's northeast, has recently stepped up attacks on communities and towns in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
All three states remain under a state of emergency declared in January by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Group leader Abubakar Shekau, who was recently pronounced dead by the Nigerian military following clashes in central Borno, reappeared in a video supposedly released by the group on Thursday, claiming he was still alive.
He boasted that Boko Haram was implementing Islamic Law in some of the communities it captured earlier.
Boko Haram currently hold the towns of Bama and Kawuri in the central part of Borno; the border town of Gamboru-Ngala; the towns of Gwoza and Damboa in the south; Buni Yadi and Gulani in Yobe State; and the towns of Madagali, Bazza and Gulak, along with some villages, in the southern part of Adamawa State.
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