- Following a series of lethal bomb blasts in Maiduguri, the Nigerian Army and Police have implemented rigorous new security protocols at the “Welcome to Damaturu” checkpoint.
- Travelers, including the elderly, children, and those with physical health challenges, are now required to disembark and trek approximately 2 kilometers on foot to cross the Yobe-Borno border.
- The measures come after a triple bomb blast in Maiduguri on March 16 killed 23 people and injured 108, sparking fears of additional suicide bombers entering the metropolis.
Security across the North-East has reached a state of high alert as travelers between Yobe and Borno states face grueling new crossing conditions.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in response to recent insurgent attacks, security forces have mandated a two-kilometer foot walk for all commuters at the strategic checkpoint entering Damaturu.
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While many recognize the need for heightened vigilance, the “harsh” nature of the trek has sparked significant outcry from those plying the route.
Habib Zanna, 69, a traveler caught in the exercise on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, described the lack of consideration for age and health as “very harsh,” questioning how long citizens must endure such suffering.
Other commuters, including women carrying infants and individuals with physical disabilities, reported trekking through intense heat.
Aisha Gambo, a traveler with a fractured leg, urged the government to adopt modern alternatives, such as vehicle scanning, to balance security needs with the well-being of the public.
The Yobe State Police Command defended the robust coverage, with spokesperson SP Dungus Abdulkarim noting that Commissioner of Police has directed all tactical units to secure strategic locations ahead of Sallah festivities.
This follows a devastating triple explosion in Maiduguri on Monday night, which prompted the Police Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Unit to conduct thorough sweep operations across the city to neutralize further threats.
Adding to the tension, the Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin Kai warned that multiple suicide bombers may have already infiltrated Maiduguri.
Lt Col Sanni Uba, the Media Information Officer, stated that terrorists are targeting crowded public areas to create panic. Consequently, surveillance and counter-IED measures have been intensified.
Despite these assurances, some travelers expressed fear that the 2km trek itself leaves them vulnerable to strikes in the “deserted lands” where they are forced to walk.
