Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, May 26, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to address the worsening security situation in the state. Following the closed-door meeting, Zulum told reporters that no local government area in Borno would fall under the control of Boko Haram or ISWAP insurgents.
This firm declaration marks a change from his earlier statement during a visit to Marte, where he admitted that three local governments—Marte, Abadam, and Dikwa—were under insurgent control. At the time, he urged the armed forces and stakeholders to defend the affected areas.
After his briefing with President Tinubu, the governor reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting all territories in the state. He stated clearly that no part of Borno would be surrendered to insurgents. Zulum expressed confidence in the combined efforts of the Nigerian Army, security agencies, and local communities, saying the collaborative approach would prevent further losses.
He emphasized the urgency of the matter, pointing out the increasing attacks on military formations and strategic areas. According to Zulum, his visit followed firsthand observations from conflict zones across the Northeast, where he witnessed the severity of ongoing threats.
Zulum also disclosed that new strategies are being considered to combat the insurgency. Among them is the creation of a forest guard unit to help secure ungoverned areas and disrupt terrorist hideouts. He described this as a major move in improving security outcomes.
The governor raised alarms over the types of weapons insurgents now possess, describing them as highly sophisticated. He confirmed that the federal government is aware of the situation and working on ways to counter it. President Tinubu, according to Zulum, gave strong assurances of support and pledged that the federal government would take decisive steps to restore security.
Zulum concluded by stressing the need for unity among all stakeholders. He said his administration would continue to mobilize local volunteers and community leaders to support military efforts, urging everyone to play a role in securing Borno State.
