BORNO Governor Babagana Zulum has vowed that no local government area in the State will be allowed to fall into the hands of Boko Haram or the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) insurgents, declaring an unyielding stance against renewed security threats in the region.
“A few days ago, I made a call that no local government shall be allowed to be taken over by Boko Haram or ISWAP members. It will never happen now,” Zulum stated on Monday while speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Zulum emphasised that with strengthened collaboration between the Armed fyorces, civilian authorities and local communities, the State would decisively push back against insurgent advances.
“Inshallah, with the support of the Nigerian Army, with the support of the Armed Forces, we will not leave a single local government to fall into the hands of the insurgents,” he said.
The Governor was at the State House to formally brief Tinubu on the escalating security situation in the Northeast, particularly in Borno State and to seek enhanced federal intervention.
“Purposely I came to brief him on the security situation in the Northeast and in particular in Borno State. This is the main reason why I came. Because you have heard it all that within the last few days things are not getting very well in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast,” Zulum said.
Having just returned from a week-long visit to several conflict-affected local government areas, Zulum said he had seen firsthand the severity of the challenges, especially the targeting of military installations.
“We are trying to see how we shall reduce the incessant attacks on military formations and others,” he added.
The Governor commended the federal government’s recent steps to address the situation and expressed optimism that decisive actions by the armed forces would soon yield results.
“I believe within the last couple of days, the Nigerian armed forces have taken some certain decisions that will curtail the imminence of the insurgency, and I believe something shall be done,” he said.
Among the new federal initiatives under discussion, Zulum pointed to the proposed establishment of forest guards as a significant move that could shift the tide against insurgents.
“Most importantly, some plans are underway by the federal government, especially the establishment of forest guards. That will be a game-changer,” he noted.
He also raised concern over the advanced weaponry reportedly in the hands of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, urging continued federal efforts to match the threat, saying “some of the Boko Haram and ISWAP members are using some sophisticated weapons. I believe the federal government is also working on this direction.”
According to Zulum, Tinubu reaffirmed commitment to confronting the security challenges head-on.
