Dauda Iliya
“Beneath the rubble and bloodshed also lie whispers of a different path paved with empathy, understanding and innovative solutions… The path to peace is not paved with bombs and bullets, but with courage, compassion and long-term vision” General Lucky Iraboh 2025
Wise men say, in leadership and good governance, it is better for a leader to roam around the led, consoling and providing succour to them in situations of adversity than remain within the comfortable confines of his office, lamenting over the adversities.
In keeping with his tradition of trotting around the state to minister to the people according to needs, Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, from 4th-9th December 2025 undertook a Security and Resilience Tour to the Southern Senatorial Zone of the state for four cardinal reasons.
The reasons: To fulfil his constitutional mandate as the chief security officer of the state; To develop the absorptive capacity of his dear Bornoans to terror-inflicted shocks; To develop their resilience-building capacity to terror to enable them rebuild their lives, reminiscent of their glorious pre-Boko Haram past; and To leverage the level of security so far restored to coordinate the reconstruction of the state from the rubbles of terror.
The constitutional provision that squarely thrusts the critical responsibility of security on government mandates every leader at every of the three tiers of government to ensure the restoration and maintenance of security according to the constitutional powers allotted to him, and according to the prevailing imperatives in his entity of governance.
It takes a leader worth his weight in gold to surmount every seemingly insurmountable challenges on his way of discharging this cardinal responsibility, to purposefully navigate the complexities of security restoration and maintenance in today’s insecurity-tattered Nigeria.
Compliantly, therefore, Prof Zulum, whose one of enviably defining characteristics is regular trotting around his terror-tattered state to lend credible support to the military, and develop and sustain the resilience of his terrorized and gradually resettling communities to leverage the gradual restoration of security to rebuild their lives, has kept pace and maintained the tempo, most times going the extra mile to spectacularly do much more.
He exhibited this disposition in the 120-Hour Security and Resilience Tour to the state’s Southern Senatorial district. He, in keeping with his tradition, went the extra mile, crossing the border to Cameroon to console and express amity with Boko Haram war refugees and prepared their minds for returning home to rebuild their lives and restore prosperity to the state.
Zulum’s first port of call was Warabe, a community in Gwoza where he met with bereaved families and community leaders. He offered his condolences and prayers for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives.
The governor then proceeded to Askira-Uba where he spent Thursday night coordinating security responses and reviewing current security strategies to formulate a more robust framework to protect vulnerable communities and prevent future attacks.
During a separate visit to the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi ibn Muhammadu Askirama, and that of Uba, Alhaji Ali Isma’ila Mamza, Governor Babagana Zulum underscored the critical role of community involvement in ensuring peace and security.
Governor Zulum also visited hospitals at Lassa, in Askira-Uba local government area where he expressed government’s commitment for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and equipping of these hospitals in addition to recruitment of professionals that will manage the hospitals.
Earlier that Saturday, the governor met with grieving families in Chibok, where he commiserated with them over the loss of lives and property, offering condolences and immediate relief to those that lost properties.
At Chibok, the governor announced concrete measures to protect lives and property, noting that the state government, in collaboration with the federal government and security agencies, is implementing enhanced measures to protect vulnerable communities against future attacks.
“We are here to offer our condolences over what happened these past days in Chibok general area, especially to those who lost their lives. The situation is painful. We are here to show our sorrow over what happened,” he commiserated the bereaved Chibok families.
He assured: “God willing, the issue of insecurity in Chibok will be resolved. We will provide a permanent solution and put an end to it. We will take action.” Consoling, “Please be patient. Our thoughts are with you, and one thing that made me happy is how you have remained calm and stayed in your communities despite everything,” Zulum said.”
The governor announced financial assistance of N1 million to the bereaved families and N500,000 to those whose properties were destroyed during the recent unfortunate attacks.
While in Damboa, Zulum injected the security forces with sermons of courage to bolster their morale for the terror war.
“We are behind you,” Zulum assured while addressesing the troops of 25 Task Force Brigade of Nigerian Army, declaring the state’s and its people’s support for their relentless fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.
The governor, speaking at a front-line military base in Damboa, sympathised deeply with the officers and soldiers, acknowledging the immense personal sacrifice and hard work they put in daily.
Zulum stated, “On behalf of the government and good people of Borno State. We are here in Damboa purposely to commiserate with you over the recent setback which claimed the lives of some of your colleagues.”
Consoling the troops further, Zulum said, “For those of you who are still alive and healthy, we pray that God will protect you, give you the vision and strength to carry out your duties effectively. You have been doing very well. We have acknowledged your support and would like to commend you.”
In his vintage tradition of resilience building among the terrorized communities, Zulum rolled out his reasons for the Damboa visit in an on-the-spot interview with newsmen.
Governor Zulum tied development to peace and security, underscoring the imperative for the restoration and maintenance of security for infrastructural development to flower across the communities.
“The nexus between peace, security and development cannot be overemphasized. we have seen some critical infrastructures in this locally especially schools and hospitals. Damboa has a population of over 200.000 people, before now, they don’t have a big hospital, we have now constructed a befitting general hospital which shall be commissioned very soon”.
Professor Zulum then crossed the border to the Republic of Cameroon to console and provide warmth to the thousands of his fellow Bornoans taking refuge there from the Boko Haram/ISWAP terror.
“Road Home is Open”: Zulum broke the cheery news that injected hope in 12 000 Nigerian Refugees in that Francophone nation.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring the dignity of victims of insurgency, including Nigerian refugees in the neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Addressing the refugees at the Minawao camp in Cameroon’s Far North region, he said his visit was part of the government’s efforts to repatriate those who remain.
Over 12, 000 Nigerian refugees from Kirawa, Ngoshe, Ashigashiya and surrounding communities in Gwoza Local Government Area have been living in the camp for more than a decade.
The governor’s visit provided a significant relief and renewed optimism as he interacted with the refugees. For many, his presence signalled that the long road home was finally opening, describing the moment as their “first real assurance”.
“The welfare of refugees, internally displaced persons, and returnees remains a priority for us,” Zulum said, noting that rebuilding the lives of insurgency survivors is a core pillar of his administration’s humanitarian and development agenda.
The governor also announced cash support for shelter rehabilitation for those willing to return, a measure designed to help returnees begin reconstructing their homes. In addition, he pledged to drill boreholes for the refugees.
“Borno State in partnership with the federal government will provide a cash assistance of N500 000 to each refugee that is willing to return home, while women households will be given N100,000 each,” Zulum announced.
The governor of the Far North Region, Cameroon, Mijinyawa Bakari, praised Governor Zulum’s unwavering commitment, describing his continued support for displaced Nigerians in Cameroon as exemplary and deeply humanitarian.
“Borno State Governor has consistently demonstrated genuine concern and responsibility for his people, even beyond Nigeria’s borders,” Bakari stated.
He acknowledged the sustained humanitarian assistance, particularly the governor’s long-standing interventions in the Minawao Refugee Camp.
“Zulum’s physical presence and hands-on support has not only provided relief to the refugees but has also strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon in addressing displacement and regional stability,” he added.
During his visit, Governor Zulum also toured farmlands allocated to the refugees by the Cameroonian government, which have become their primary source of livelihood.
While assessing the fields, he commended the refugees’ resilience and the host authorities’ generosity. He assured farmers that his administration would support their agricultural activities by providing irrigation kits and water sources to boost productivity.
Babagana Umara Zulum, a Professor of Agricultural Engineering in the academic sphere, is incontrovertibly an exemplary leader, the intertwine of security and peoples resilience with reconstruction and development in an entity rubbled by terror.
Dauda Iliya is the Special Adviser on Media/Spokesperson to Borno State Governor
