Federal government renews commitment to tackle new security threats in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The renewed surge in violent attacks across parts of Borno State has drawn swift attention from the Federal Government, with assurances of increased military support to reverse the unsettling trend.
In what many consider a critical intervention, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, led a high-powered delegation to Maiduguri on Friday. The delegation included the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, top military commanders, and representatives of all service chiefs.
The visit, which followed a presidential directive, was aimed at assessing the security situation and consulting with state authorities on immediate solutions to the resurgence of insecurity.
Badaru made it clear that the Federal Government is not only concerned but is also prepared to act decisively.
“This powerful team from the defence sector is here the Chief of Defence Staff himself, the two commanders, both outgoing and incoming, and representatives of all the service chiefs,” the minister told Gov. Babagana Zulum during the courtesy call.
“We are here this morning, or this afternoon, Your Excellency, to engage our team here and find out what their requirements are, so as to stop the new trend of insecurity we have been seeing in Borno State and the North East.”
According to him, President Bola Tinubu had authorised the team to determine the exact needs of the security forces on ground, especially in terms of personnel and equipment.
“The President has given us the directive to make sure we provide everything required to stop this ugly tide,” Badaru said.
Borno, which has witnessed over a decade of insurgency from Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, had seen significant security gains in recent years. These gains have enabled thousands of displaced persons to return home and begin rebuilding their lives.
However, the Defence Minister admitted that recent developments were threatening those hard-won victories. I want to assure you on behalf of the President that we will nip this in the bud and restore the peace that we have enjoyed in recent years,” he said.
To ensure sustained attention to the North East theatre of operations, Badaru said daily situation reports from the region would now be submitted directly to the President. The minister also acknowledged Zulum’s longstanding involvement and insight into the region’s security affairs.
“We are here to engage you and the state on what advice and guidance you might have for the Armed Forces. We believe your suggestions and ideas will help us further strengthen our strategies and tactics on how to end this insecurity.”
Gov. Babagana Zulum, in his response, welcomed the delegation and expressed optimism that the visit would usher in a new phase of improved collaboration and results.
“I want to most sincerely thank you for this visit, and it is our sincere hope that this visit will change the security narrative in Borno State. A lot has been said about what is ongoing in Borno State, but insha’Allah, we are optimistic that the security situation will be okay very soon,” he said.
Zulum emphasised the need for resilience and continued political and military coordination to ensure that progress is not reversed.
“We have to be resilient enough and ensure that the successes that have so far been recorded will not diminish, insha’Allah,” he said.
The governor pledged full political support to the military and praised the Federal Government, the Ministry of Defence, and the service chiefs for their sustained backing over the years.
“I want to assure you that I will provide the necessary political aid and commitment needed to collaborate and support the Nigerian military with the duty of ending the insurgency,” he said.
Zulum also commended the outgoing Theatre Commander and the GOC, Sector 3, for their dedication in the fight against insurgency.
Nonetheless, he voiced concern about the overstretched manpower of the military and its impact on forest security and border control in the state.
“Some of the problems we are facing in Borno State include limited manpower to manage our forests. Manpower is very essential,” he said.
“While I am aware of the constraints of the Nigerian Army, because you are everywhere — North West, North Central, North East, even South I still believe the Army should look into the possibility of sending more trained manpower to the North East.”
Zulum also drew attention to the growing complexity of threats, distinguishing between Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits. He warned that ISWAP and Boko Haram continue to receive international support, making the situation more dangerous.
“There is a difference between ISWAP, Boko Haram, and bandits. ISWAP and Boko Haram are receiving international support. Looking at our forest borders and the many immigrants entering through the Sahel, this is a major problem,” he said.
The governor stressed the strategic importance of the Sahel to Nigeria’s overall security architecture.
“If the Sahel is not secured, the entire Nigeria will not be secured. So there is a need to fortify the security situation in the Sahel in order to end the crisis across the country,” he added.
Zulum concluded by calling for continuous and intensified military operations, warning that any pause could provide room for regrouping by insurgent groups. Military operations must be a continuous exercise,” he said.
As the meeting ended, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work closely and swiftly to address the evolving threats. For the people of Borno, the renewed focus brings a glimmer of hope that peace may once again be within reach.
