The Nigerian Army deployed armoured vehicles and armed personnel to Filling Polo in Maiduguri on Monday, preventing a planned protest against insecurity and abductions in Borno State. The site was deserted by 9:35 a.m., with suspected protesters observing from a distance due to fear of confrontation. Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance and leader of the protest group, confirmed the event had been postponed because of the military presence. He alleged the state government orchestrated the deployment to intimidate participants. "The state government sent military personnel there. That is what is happening now," Kaigama said. He claimed residents, including those who travelled from Ngoshe, were discouraged from attending. The protest aimed to highlight worsening insecurity and abductions, with Kaigama stating that 416 people have been abducted, including 12 in Biu. He accused the government of prioritising primary elections over rescuing captives. Kaigama said the group had contacted their lawyer to redraft a notification letter for the government, DSS, and other authorities before rescheduling. "Presently, we are cancelling the protest and doing exactly what they want," he said. "They want a letter; we will provide it." He criticised the use of the military to suppress citizens while failing to deploy it to rescue families in terrorist-held areas. Attempts to reach Lt. Col. Sani Uba, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.
Samaila Kaigama leads a youth alliance demanding action on abductions while accusing the state government of using the military to block protest. The same military deployed to stop citizens from demonstrating has not been used to rescue 416 people, including 12 in Biu, currently in captivity. If the state sees protest as a threat but inaction on abductions as acceptable, it risks deepening public distrust. Kaigama's group is now complying with bureaucratic demands, suggesting the state's power to delay outweighs the urgency of the crisis.
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