Thousands of troops and new battle ready armored tanks were deployed to the streets of Maiduguri Borno state capital ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan campaign visit to the city today.
Thousands of troops were seen from the Maiduguri airport's Jos road leading to the shut down of major roads and streets in the city. Several of the soldiers who appeared well kitted with brand new rifles were stationed five meters apart.
The development has made many residents uneasy as they complain that soldiers have made it impossible to move around the city making life more difficult for them.
A journalist, Kolo Dala, told our correspondent that he suffered a lot before he could reach the Government House Maiduguri where he was to meet colleagues because it took him more than an hour instead of fifteen minutes to get there.
Another resident, Yusuf Usman, said he saw heavy presence of military and policemen that looks better kitted and battle-ready which made him wonder if Mr President could deploy the troops to fight Boko Haram so as to put an end to the insurgency that had put Borno state in a virtual lockdown.