Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has raised the alarm over renewed Boko Haram attacks that have resulted in daily killings, abductions, and the dislodgement of military formations across parts of the state, warning that the situation suggests the state is gradually losing ground to insurgents.
Speaking during a Special Expanded Security Meeting held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Zulum expressed deep concern over the increasing rate of terrorist assaults and the apparent lack of adequate resistance in some areas.
“It is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities, almost on a daily basis and without confrontation, signal that Borno State is losing ground,” the governor said.
Zulum cited recent attacks that saw insurgents overrun military formations in Wajirko and Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government Area, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, and Izge in Gwoza LGA, among others. He described the killings of civilians and security personnel as setbacks in the fragile peace being sustained in the region.
The governor noted that the Borno State Government has remained a committed partner to the military and other security agencies in their counter-insurgency efforts, a collaboration he said had brought relative peace over the past three years.
While commending President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security architecture for their support, Zulum called for enhanced deployment of modern warfare technology to stem the tide of the renewed attacks, particularly in the Sahelian parts of Borno that share borders with Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.
“There is need for urgent action through the provision of modern military equipment and technological solutions. Without these, we risk further deterioration,” Zulum stated.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, acknowledged the efforts of security agencies but lamented that several local government areas—including Guzamala, Marte, and Abadam—remain fully under Boko Haram control. He added that parts of Mobbar are also without any civil authority.
The royal father urged the Federal Government to prioritize the reconstruction of key federal roads in the state, including Biu–Damboa–Maiduguri, Maiduguri–Dikwa–Ngala, Maiduguri–Monguno–Kukawa, and Biu–Damaturu roads, to aid civilian and military movement in the region.
The meeting had in attendance the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Major General Abubakar Haruna, heads of security agencies, Sector Commanders, and traditional rulers including the Shehu of Bama and the Emirs of Biu, Uba, Askira, and Gwoza. The Shehu of Dikwa and Emir of Shani were, however, absent.
