Nigerian army hails unrestricted Eid celebration in Boko Haram affected states

The Nigerian Army says the unrestricted vehicular movements in two north eastern States of Borno and Yobe during the 2016 eid-ul-fitr celebrations was a historic milestone in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

A statement on the Army’s facebook page read, ‘‘Today, Wednesday 6th July 2016 history is being made as we have attained another milestone in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.’‘

This year was the first time in six years that the people of Borno and Yobe States had Eid el fitr celebrations without restriction of vehicular movement and lock down of the States, which has been the norm since 2010.

The Army also took the occasion to officially reopen one of the most important roads linking the Borno State capital of Maiduguri with areas as Mafa, Dikwa, Gomboru, Ngala, Cameroon and beyond.

‘‘To the credit of the Nigerian military, other Security Agencies, Civilian Joint Task Force and the well meaning and peace loving people of our country, peace and security is gradually coming back into our societies,’‘ the statement concluded.

WATCH THE MORNING CALL LOOKS AT REVIEW OF MAIDUGURI RESTRICTIONS

The army is in charge of security in most parts of Borno State, the main base of Boko Haram terrorists who until recently had hoisted their flags in most Local Government Areas in the state.

The Army insists Boko Haram have been restricted to the Sambisa forest and they occasionally send young female suicide bombers to inflict harm on soft civilian populations.

The six-year insurgency has already resulted in the displacement of more than two million people across the Lake Chad region comprising Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.