In what sounded like an SOS (Save Our Soul) message to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Tuesday, expressed deep concern over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in his beleaguered state, warning that Jihadists are regaining ground in several communities just as bandits tighten their grip on Plateau, North-Central Nigeria.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the north-eastern state of Borno has been at the frontier of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism war which has killed tens of thousands of locals and displaced millions since 2009 when the Jihadist group first launched an insurgency against the Nigerian government with the aim of establishing an Islamic caliphate in West Africa.
Speaking at a Special Expanded Security Meeting in Maiduguri—attended by top military commanders, heads of security agencies, and traditional rulers—Zulum painted a troubling picture of the deteriorating security situation, especially in border communities in Borno.
He said, “As I address this important gathering today, it is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on daily basis without confrontation signaled that Borno State is losing ground.”
He continued, “As you are all aware, my administration has been very supportive to the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorists, leading to a relative peace in the last three years. It is disheartening to note the recent attacks and dislodgement of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, Izge in Gwoza Local Government areas, among other related killings of innocent civilians and security agencies. This calls for serious concern and is a setback in the fragile state of Borno and the North East region.”
Zulum further stated, “Inasmuch as the Borno Government under my leadership commends the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies for their unwavering support in the fight against Boko Haram, more efforts have to be put in place through equipping and deploying of technological warfare to the military to stem the tide of all renewed attacks bedevilling parts of the Sahelian Borno, which shares international borders with three African countries—Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.”
The Borno Governor’s remarks followed recent attacks that forced the dislodgement of military posts and renewed fears in communities that had begun returning to normalcy after years of relative peace.
Echoing the governor’s concerns, the Shehu of Borno (a monarch), Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, also urged swift intervention. He highlighted that entire local government areas—such as Guzamala, Marte, Abadam, and parts of Mobbar—remain under the control of insurgents and lack civil governance.
He called on the federal government to accelerate the rebuilding of critical infrastructure and restore state authority in those regions.
The recent surge in violence, is being viewed as a worrying setback in Borno’s long fight against Boko Haram, a terrorist group designated by Nigeria and many international bodies.
Bandits Occupying 64 Communities in Plateau State — Governor Mutfwang
The SOS call by Zulum comes amid a surge in banditry attacks in the country as one of such brutal attacks was recently witnessed in Plateau state located in north-central Nigeria, where death toll continues to mount.
Only on Tuesday, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau also raised similar SOS message over the occupation of 64 communities by bandits across Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom Local Government Areas. Speaking on Channels TV’s “Politics Today,” Governor Mutfwang highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that these areas have been overtaken, renamed, and settled by the assailants.
“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom Local Governments,” Mutfwang stated. “They have been taken over, renamed, and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy.”
The governor also expressed concern over the recurrence of attacks by bandits in communities previously targeted in 2023. He emphasized the resilience of the affected populations, citing the Ruwi community as an example. “These communities that have been recently attacked were part of the communities that were attacked in 2023 but they survived it and rebuilt themselves. The Ruwi community that was first attacked lost about 17 people in 2023 but they bounced back to show you the resilience of the people,” he said.
Recent assaults have resulted in over 50 fatalities within a week, with five agrarian communities affected and more than 300 houses burned by Fulani herdsmen, who have been accused of running riots across vast vegetable lands and communities in Nigeria.
