CHIBOK, BORNO STATE
President Goodluck Jonathan secretly slipped into Borno under the cover of darkness on Thursday, ahead of a weekend visit with Nigerian troops serving in the protracted north-east war against Boko Haram insurgents - Nigeria's longest war.
Jonathan's presidential jet landed at the Maiduguri airport. He is scheduled to spend a few hours with soldiers in a military camp in Chibok as well as others around the state. He however has no plans to visit the governor of Borno State who has had a tumultuous relationship with Aso Rock.
Jonathan's surprise trip comes as the troops struggle to regain territory lost to Boko Haram. This will be the first visit by a serving Nigerian president to an area of conflict while the conflict is going on. The visit is expected to boost the morale of battle-weary troops and send a strong message to Nigerians about the president's commitment to ending the war in the north east. He is also expected to announce a new welfare package for soldiers at the war front that will see them get twice the stipends they now receive.
