Borno losing ground to terrorists – Zulum
The Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has raised an alarm that the state seems to be losing grounds to terrorists. He spoke yesterday at the Government House, Maiduguri, during an expanded Security Council meeting which, he noted, was convened to hear the truth from major stakeholders, including traditional rulers and heads of security agencies in […]
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum (left); Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi (2nd left) and other traditional rulers during a security meeting at the Government House, yesterday. Photo: Govt House Borno
The Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has raised an alarm that the state seems to be losing grounds to terrorists.
He spoke yesterday at the Government House, Maiduguri, during an expanded Security Council meeting which, he noted, was convened to hear the truth from major stakeholders, including traditional rulers and heads of security agencies in the state.
In attendance were the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Major General Abubakar Haruna; sector commanders; the commissioner of police and heads of other security agencies; the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi; the Shehu of Bama as well as the emirs of Biu, Uba, Askira and Gwoza.
Governor Zulum expressed concern over the recent Boko Haram attacks on major military formations across the state, saying the state was at risk of returning to turmoil.
“Many military locations were dislodged, especially in Wulgo, Sabongari, Wajirko among others.
“It seems we are losing ground and this is a very important thing that we need to discuss.
“Peace has gradually returned to Borno within the last three years, but we are witnessing sporadic attacks in recent times,” the governor said.
Governor seeks helicopters, drones’ deployment
He called for deployment of fighter helicopters and the newly procured drones to support military operations in the affected locations.
“While we commend the Nigerian military, police, DSS as well as paramilitary in maintaining law and order in the state, we also have to tell the truth. Otherwise, all the gains we have made so far will be a mirage” he said.
Zulum, who is also the chairman of the North-east Governors’ Forum, appealed to the federal government to give the zone the required attention.
“It seems the focus of the Nigerian Army and Federal Ministry of Defence is not in the northeastern states of Nigeria.
“Considering the strategic location of the northeastern states of Nigeria, we deserve to receive the desired attention.
“The Sahel region is very important, Borno location is also very important in the fight against insurgency, Borno State is bordering the Republic of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
“A lot of foreigners, foreign insurgents are coming into Borno State through these borders. If nothing is done, the state will return to turmoil again. I believe the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will not accept that.
“If as much as possible we can work together with the Nigerian army, it is the right time to save the situation,” Zulum stated.
He urged the army not only to mount checkpoints, guard towns and villages, but to also take the battle to the insurgents.
“They should not grant breathing space to the Boko Haram to regroup, re-arm and carry out attacks on our territory,” he added.
He said the resettlement plan of the state government was in top gear but could not be achieved without tight and efficient security.
Zulum added that the state government would continue to work closely with the Armed Forces to execute developmental and peace-building programmes.
3 LGAs under B/Haram’s control – Shehu of Borno
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al Amin El-Kanemi, said Abadam, Marte and Guzamala Local Government Areas of the state were under the control of Boko Haram terrorists.
“The three LGs are no-go areas, especially Abadam, it is a no-go area, people are afraid to go. So, also Marte and Guzamala, a very big town bordering Cameroon,” he said.
According to him, peace in the state is being compromised by settlers who came under the guise of acquiring Islamic education and engaging in other businesses.
“Our people were forced into exile to neighboring countries to avoid Boko Haram attacks,” the Shehu said.
He also stated that most of the local government areas created since 1976 were without basic amenities like access roads, electricity and others.
He appealed to the federal government to reconstruct the trunk A roads: Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri, Maiduguri-Dikwa- Ngala, Maiduguri-Monguno-Kukawa and Biu-Damaturu which, he said, were in a deplorable state.
Previous alarms by Zulum
In June 2023, Zulum raised the alarm over renewed attacks by the terrorists on farming communities in the state.
He spoke during a condolence visit to five communities in Jere and Mafa LGAs where eight farmers and scavengers were murdered.
Before the murder of eight farmers in Shuwari, Kaleri, Tamsu Ngamdua, Baram Karamwa and Muna communities, there had been similar attacks on farmers in Borno communities around Gwoza.
Also on October 6, 2024, the governor raised concerns about the infiltration of Boko Haram insurgents into internally displaced persons’ camps, saying the terrorists used those camps as hideouts after committing crimes.
The governor had made the revelation during the resettlement of 3,800 displaced persons in Konduga Local Government Area.
“We can’t tolerate this anymore. Boko Haram insurgents have infiltrated IDP camps, committing atrocities and perpetuating insecurity,” he had said.
Timeline of attacks in Borno
On April 6, 2025, Boko Haram terrorists attacked a military location at Izge village, Gwoza LGA of Borno State, killing a captain and corporal, and carting away weapons.
The attack, which was launched around 1am, also left many Boko Haram fighters dead.
On April 7, 2025, the insurgents returned to Gwoza in large number and attempted to invade the town, but were repelled by troops, hunters and vigilantes. A soldier was killed in the process.
The executive chairman of Gwoza, Abba Kawu Idrissa Timta, had confirmed the attacks.
On March 25, 2025, the insurgents also raided two military bases in Wajirko in Damboa and Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno State, reportedly killing some soldiers.
On December 24, 2024, the terrorists launched a drone attack on the Forward Operating Base in Damboa LGA and injured at least six soldiers.
On October 26, 2024, the terrorists attacked Chad army garrison bordering Borno State, killed over 40 soldiers and carted away weapons.
We’re under siege – Borno speaker
The speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, who represents Guzamala, had said on January, 7, 2025, that his constituency had been under the Boko Haram control for over a decade.
In an interview with Daily Trust, he called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the military to establish a brigade in the area to dislodge the terrorists.
“There is still no civilian or military presence in Guzamala. It is only in Abadam that the military has a formation. For over 10 years, civilians have not had access to these two local government areas.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on the federal government and the Nigerian military to immediately establish a brigade in Guzamala, as this is the only way that can fast-track return of IDPs to their ancestral homes”, he said.
Also, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC – Borno North) had on November 22, 2024, moved a motion in the Senate on the “need to deploy adequate security personnel to endangered local government areas in Borno State.”
He said Guzamala had neither civil authority nor military presence, while the terrorists still attack communities in Abadam and Marte.
Following the outcry by the senator, the Senate mandated the military to free the two LGAs in Borno.
However, in the Southern part of Borno, Daily Trust gathered that the insurgents have taken over a swath in Sambisa forest, dislodging communities along the fringes, with Damboa, Gwoza and Chibok frequently being attacked.
A local who was displaced from a village around the Lake Chad, Malam Muazu, said the insurgents have displaced over 100 villages in the area.
“The military were able to liberate some of the villages like Doron Baga, which is a fishing community, Bundaran and Wilgo”, he said.
Security issue not given required attention – Expert
A security expert, Senator Iroegbu, said Nigeria should expect more terrorist attacks unless the government handles security issues with vigor.
He said since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu became president, security issues have not been given the necessary attention.
“Also, due to the fallout of subsidy removal, the focus on the economy became number one priority. It is not as if insecurity is no longer there, but people are pretending, except for us who are tracking security issues and know that the insecurity has not abated. “Now, the issue of kidnapping is still there.
“Secondly, we are not paying attention to geopolitics that are happening in the Sahel region, our northern neighbors: Niger, Chad and the rest. Niger and Chad have already threatened to pull out of the MNJTF and I don’t think the federal government is paying attention to this.
“That border that is already porous may become a little bit complicated for Nigeria.
“Also the seeming information warfare among the competing powers, Russia backing Niger and the counter one from the West is playing a role.
“The diplomatic relation of Nigeria with its neighbors is not so good. All these things combined, are not helping the country.
“Also, politics have now taken centre stage, there are lots of distractions,” he said.
NSA’s statement on state of security
Speaking yesterday at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Abuja, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu, said the security agencies under his coordination were getting better results in terms restoring stability back to the country.
“I want to once again use the opportunity to thank our armed forces, thank our security forces, all the services. And indeed, the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who is working daily, and we are improving.
“Daily, we are doing what we are asked to do. Daily, we are serving our country. Daily, we are restoring order, security, and stability. Daily, we are getting freedom back to our own people. We will continue to do so. We will not relent”, he said.
Military mum
Efforts to get official reactions from the military high command last night proved abortive, as several calls put across to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Markus Kangye, went unanswered.
Kangye, a Major-General, was yet to reply to both text and Whatsapp messages sent to him as at press time yesterday.