“Borno Is Losing Ground”: Zulum Raises Alarm as Boko Haram Raids Escalate Without Military Resistance

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram attacks in the state, warning that insurgents are now raiding communities and abducting residents without encountering resistance from the Nigerian military. Speaking at an expanded security meeting at the Borno Government House on Tuesday, the governor expressed concern that Borno is gradually losing ground in the fight against terrorism.

Governor Zulum, addressing traditional rulers, security chiefs, and the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Major General Abubakar Haruna, described the situation as deeply troubling. He said recent attacks and the overrunning of military formations in parts of the state marked a serious setback in the counter-insurgency campaign. He cited specific incidents in Wajirko and Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government Area, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, and Izge in Gwoza, where Boko Haram fighters dislodged military posts and killed civilians and security personnel.

He acknowledged the support the Borno government has given to the military over the past three years, which contributed to a period of relative peace. However, he noted that the recent escalation in violence and the military’s inability to prevent or respond effectively to the attacks are alarming developments.

Zulum called on the federal government to step up efforts to combat the insurgency. While commending President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for their ongoing support, he urged for increased deployment of modern technology and better equipment for troops, especially in the Sahelian region of Borno, which shares borders with Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has also criticised the federal government for failing to prevent attacks in other parts of Nigeria. The organisation reported that at least 71 people have been killed in the past week across Plateau, Kebbi, and Katsina states. In Katsina alone, over 50 people were reportedly abducted. Amnesty described the surge in violence as part of a growing pattern of deadly assaults on rural communities, displacing hundreds and leaving many vulnerable.