Vehicular movement in Borno and Yobe states have been restricted on Thursday and Friday to forestall any terrorist activity during the New Year celebration.

In Borno State, the military banned all vehicular movement, including those involving animals, in Maiduguri, the capital, while in Yobe State, movement from and into the state and between cities have been restricted by the state government.

Movement in Maiduguri of any sort might be impossible during the New Year celebration as animals such as horses and donkeys are not permitted to move about just as movement of all vehicles and cycles are banned.

A statement issued in Maiduguri on Wednesday by the deputy director, Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, a Colonel, stated that no vehicular or animal movement are allowed between Thursday and Friday.

The statement said that the military took the action to forestall any breach in security in its area of operations.

The statement read in part: “In view of the security situation in Borno state which remains fluid and unpredictable, the 7th division of the Nigerian Army Maiduguri wishes to impose total ban on vehicular movement within its area of responsibility.”

The statement further said that the restriction would be from “6:00am on Thursday 1st January 2015 to 6:00pm on Friday 2nd January 2015.”

“Vehicular movement by animal (horses, etc), bicycles, motorcycles, tri-cycles and motor vehicles are totally banned in the state during the specified period. This restriction is informed to ensure adequate protection of lives and property of law abiding citizens of Borno state throughout the period”.

In Yobe, the special adviser to governor on press affairs and information, Abdullahi Bego, said the decision to restrict vehicular movement in and out of the state was taken on Wednesday after a meeting between governor Ibrahim Gaidam and heads of security agencies.

“This is to inform members of the general public that His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the placement of restriction of movement for the New Year and Eid-Maulud holidays,” a statement issued by Bego said.

“All vehicular movement into and out of the State is banned from Thursday 7am to Saturday 7am.There will also be no vehicular movement between towns across the state,” he stated.

“However, normal vehicular movement as well as business and social activities will continue within towns and communities in the State.”

Bego explained that decision to restrict movement was taken to prevent any terrorist attacks against citizens.