Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum said on Wednesday that the security situation in the state has greatly improved, insisting that “the worst is over.”
He made the statement during a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Shuaibu Waidi, in Maiduguri.
Zulum explained that although there have been recent attacks, the state is far safer compared to the height of the insurgency years ago. He urged residents to continue supporting the military with information and cooperation, stressing that defeating terrorism requires a joint effort.
“Yes, there have been attacks on some communities and security forces, but the worst is over,” he said. “We will continue to work closely with our security forces and provide them with the intelligence they need to bring this madness to an end.”
The governor said that while every incident is painful, the overall trend shows progress toward peace. He also sympathized with the Nigerian Army over recent losses, praising soldiers for their courage and sacrifice.
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, we stand firmly with the Nigerian Armed Forces,” he added. “We will never take their sacrifices for granted.”
In his response, the Chief of Army Staff thanked Zulum for his unwavering support and assured him that the Army headquarters would continue to supply troops with the resources and logistics needed to succeed.
On Tuesday, Governor Zulum also appealed to the armed forces to launch a full-scale offensive against terrorist camps in the Tumbus Islands of Lake Chad, the Mandara Hills, and the Sambisa Forest.
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During a meeting with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, he expressed frustration that these strongholds continue to serve as safe havens for Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.
He noted that despite many years of conflict, there has never been a combined operation involving the Navy, Air Force, and Army to completely clear the Tumbus region.
“If we want to truly defeat insurgency in Nigeria, we must tackle the challenges in the Lake Chad area,” he said. “It has become their safe haven.”
Zulum explained that the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Hills remain major hideouts for terrorists and urged the Nigerian Air Force to deploy more drones for surveillance and quick response operations.
