Governor Babagana Zulum has raised the alarm over the worsening security situation in Borno State, with recent Boko Haram attacks and the dislodgement of military formations in key areas like Wajirko, Sabon Gari, Wulgo, and Izge, indicating that the state may be losing control.
Speaking at a Special Expanded Security Meeting on Tuesday, Zulum condemned the ongoing attacks and kidnappings, emphasising that such incidents are happening almost daily without any serious confrontation from security forces, according to Channels TV.
He described the situation as a serious setback for Borno and the wider North East region.
“As I address this important gathering today, it is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation signalled that Borno State is losing ground,” Zulum said during his address.
The meeting, which brought together Major General Abubakar Haruna, General Officer Commanding 7 Division, sector commanders, the Commissioner of Police, heads of other security agencies, and traditional rulers including the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, and the Shehu of Bama, focused on the rising wave of attacks in the region.
Zulum pointed to the recent dislodgement of military formations in Damboa Local Government Area (Wajirko and Sabon Gari), Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area (Wulgo), and Gwoza Local Government Area (Izge) as a concerning trend.
“While my administration has been very supportive of the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram, it is disheartening to note the recent attacks and dislodgement of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, and Izge in Gwoza, along with the killing of innocent civilians and security agencies.
“This calls for serious concern and signals a setback in the fragile state of Borno and the North East,” he added.
Zulum acknowledged the Federal Government’s unwavering support but called for stronger efforts in equipping the military, particularly with technological warfare, to address the ongoing crisis.
“More efforts have to be put in place through equipping and deploying technological warfare to the military to stem the tide of all renewed attacks bedevilling parts of the Sahelian Borno, which shares international borders with Chad, Niger, and Cameroon,” he said.
On behalf of the traditional rulers, the Shehu of Borno praised the security agencies but highlighted that some areas, including Guzamala, Marte, Abadam, and parts of Mobbar, are still under Boko Haram control, with no civil authority in place.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise the reconstruction of critical roads, such as the Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri, Maiduguri-Dikwa-Ngala, Maiduguri-Monguno-Kukawa, and Biu-Damaturu federal roads.
