The Nigerian Army on Monday deployed heavy armoured vehicles and armed personnel to Filling Polo in Maiduguri, the planned venue for a protest against rising insecurity and abductions in Borno State.
When reporters visited the area around 9:35 a.m., the venue was largely empty, with only a few suspected organisers and onlookers observing the situation from a distance amid growing tension over a possible confrontation.
The protest, which was expected to draw attention to worsening insecurity in the state, was later postponed following the heavy security presence.
Speaking to journalists, the leader of the organising group and President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, alleged that the deployment of troops was intended to intimidate peaceful demonstrators.
He claimed the state government was behind the security build-up, which he said discouraged many participants, including individuals who reportedly travelled from Ngoshe to join the protest.
According to him, the organisers have since engaged legal counsel and will resubmit notification letters to relevant authorities, including security agencies, before rescheduling the demonstration.
Kaigama confirmed that the protest had been suspended for the time being, adding that the group would comply with official procedures while continuing to advocate for affected families.
He said the demonstration was planned to highlight rising cases of kidnappings and insecurity, alleging that hundreds of people had been abducted in different parts of the state.
He further expressed frustration over what he described as slow government response to the crisis, insisting that affected communities have continued to suffer while seeking assistance.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, were unsuccessful as calls were not answered.
However, the Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Abdullahi Sabi Ishaq (retd.), stated that there are established procedures for organising protests in the state.
He said organisers are required to obtain clearance from the police before any public demonstration can hold, warning that otherwise lawful protests could be hijacked by criminals.
He added that while citizens have the right to express grievances, such actions must follow due process to maintain public order and prevent unrest.
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