In a bold and urgent declaration, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has vowed that no Local Government Area in the state will be surrendered to Boko Haram or ISWAP insurgents, following renewed attacks that have rattled communities in the region.
Governor Zulum made the statement on Monday, May 26, after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja — a meeting that comes on the heels of a fresh terror attack in Marte, northern Borno, reigniting fears about the fragile security situation in the northeast.
Addressing newsmen after the high-level meeting, Zulum revealed that he appealed to the federal government to step up efforts to halt the rising tide of insurgency. He expressed cautious optimism, citing new strategies from the Nigerian Armed Forces, and hinted at a potentially transformative move: the creation of a national forest guard system.
“Some plans are underway by the federal government, especially the establishment of forest guards. That will be a game-changer,” Zulum said, noting that insurgents have increasingly relied on sophisticated weapons to destabilize rural communities.
Zulum further confirmed that the president assured him of full federal backing. “The president has given me assurance that they will do everything to control the situation,” he said, describing the federal commitment as timely and crucial.
Yet, the governor made it clear that Borno won’t be standing idle. He pledged to boost the resilience of local communities and civilian volunteers, reinforcing the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces with grassroots defence strategies.
“On my own part, I will not relent. No local government will be taken over by Boko Haram or ISWAP. It will never happen again,” he stated emphatically.
Zulum called on all stakeholders — the Armed Forces, local authorities, and residents — to rise up and defend the state’s territories, insisting that with unity and firm resolve, the insurgents will be pushed back for good.
Governor Zulum’s firm stance echoes the growing frustration and anxiety among residents in the northeast, who have endured over a decade of bloodshed, displacement, and uncertainty. With the president’s promise and Borno’s local mobilization effort now aligned, all eyes are on what concrete security changes will unfold in the coming weeks — especially in vulnerable areas like Marte. For now, the governor’s vow is clear: “Never again.”
Leave a Reply