Borno’s Unyielding Leader : Zulum Leading the Charge Against Terrorists

By Gbenga Akingbule.

In a clear response to the recent surge in Boko Haram attacks, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has taken swift action. One of his key decisions was to visit towns and villages devastated by the insurgents, aiming to reassure and bring hope to affected communities.

Gatekeepers News reports that this is not first time Prof Zulum will be visiting deadly zones where boko haram terrorists had lunched attacks against the military and civilians, his aim as always is to bring hope and support to affected communities.

Last week, Governor Zulum embarked on a visit to Marte Local Government Council, a fron-line community where the Boko Haram Terrorists had killed both civilians and military personnel. Seeing the level of devastation, Zulum made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government not allow Marte fall to the insurgents.

According to Zulum ” Marte Local Government comprises over 300 towns and villages, now we have only one standing, if we cannot maintain this one, then we will lose the whole Local Government to the insurgents, which will be very obnoxious, and I think we will not allow this to happen. Therefore, I am calling on the federal government and the Nigerian Army so that we can put heads together and hold our ground for this single town in this LGA to remain.”

The governor who can best be described as one of the fearless governors in the country, took the bull by the horn when he spent
nights in the affected communities, coordinating security logistics and supporting residents with food and non-food items to cushion their hardship.

The fearless Zulum didn’t terminate his trip at Marte, he proceded to other affected communities where his people are still trapped in fear and uncertainty following the renewed Boko Haram attacks.

In Rann , Kala Balge Local Government Council and Wulgo in Ngala Local Government Council, the governor also took same message of hope and support to displaced residents urging them to keep hope alive as the state government and security forces are on top of the situation.

Only last week, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa visited Maiduguri to assess the situation where he met with top military officers and promised that the military will change the narrative and that there will be no hidding place for both Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

As the Army begins the Chief of Army Staff first Bi – Annual Conference in Maiduguri on Thursday, expectations are high that the outcome will yield effective strategies to counter the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks, ultimately ensuring the safety and security of Borno State’s residents, especially those in rural communities

” Our goal will be to identify areas for improvement and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our effectiveness in safeguarding the nation’s peace and security ” The Chief of Army Staff (COAS ) Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede promised while delivering his speech at the conference.

COAS added that ” We must not allow these setbacks to dampen our spirit or diminish our collective resolve to stamp out that which seeks to ridicule the sanctity of our sovereignty .”
Gbenga Akingbule, is a practicing journalist in Maiduguri

Borno’s Unyielding Leader : Zulum Leading the Charge Against Terrorists

Zulum Says I am happy FG responded swiftly to our plea to push Boko Haram back

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has returned to Marte on Thursday, after spending a night in the community last Saturday.

The visit was part of the ongoing efforts to restore peace, rebuild trust and foster sustainable development in the Lake Chad region, which is infested by members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Zulum, who left Maiduguri last week, has been coordinating security logistics and building resilience among residents affected by the recent surge in Boko Haram attacks.

According to a statement by the governor’s press team, Zulum has since last Saturday visited nine communities of Marte, Kala-Balge, Wulgo, Ngala, Lugumani, Gajibo, Koibe, Dikwa and Ajiri.

The governor was said to have during the visit held closed door meeting with military commanders aimed at receiving proper briefings on modalities for restoring peace in Marte and the surrounding communities.

The governor was quoted to have said during his return to Marte that: “I am here to monitor the efficacy of our ‘re-resettlement’ of the residents we conducted a few days ago. I am very happy to note that the community is fully back, and soldiers are on ground. Normal economic activities have resumed in Marte.”

He added, “I am very happy, and insha Allah, normalcy will be restored soon.”

The governor was accompanied by members representing Marte, Monguno and Nganzai constituencies at the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba; Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Bawu Musami; Permanent Secretary of Government House, and Barr. Mustapha Ali Busuguma, among many senior officials.

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum has commended the federal government and the military for responding to his call for the protection of Marte from falling to the insurgents.

Zulum made the commendation on Thursday in Marte town while speaking to journalists. He said, “The federal government and the Nigerian Armed Forces have responded positively to our request to enhance security in the affected communities. We have seen many troops deployed and many pieces of equipment deployed.

“I want to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces for the cooperation they have been giving us; without their support, we couldn’t have done much. I want, once again, to commend all stakeholders that have contributed to our search for peace and the restoration of normalcy.”

Zulum Says I am happy FG responded swiftly to our plea to push Boko Haram back

Army eliminate 6 Bandits as Forest Sanity III’ pushes deeper into Sokoto forests

By: Zagazola Makama

As the troops of Operation FANSAN YABMA have continued their aggressive operations in the thick undergrowth of Gandumi Forest, North of Goronyo, the stillness of a late-morning haze was shattered on Thursday as soldiers from the 8 Division Gar Strike Team swept through a cluster of makeshift huts and weapons pits.

It was the latest push under Operation Forest Sanity III, a rolling clearance campaign designed to uproot terrorist and bandit enclaves that have long exploited Sokoto’s sprawling woodlands as a sanctuary.

Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., the troops struck two separate hideouts: one in Gandumi Forest, Goronyo Local Government Area, and another in Indulumu village, Maradun LGA. Military sources told Zagazola Makama that six armed militants were neutralised in the combined raids.

Two AK-47 rifles, three motor-cycles, camouflage fatigues, assorted drugs and maintenance kits were recovered, while the camps themselves were levelled and set ablaze to prevent re-occupation.

“Every foot of ground we seize in these forests denies criminals a staging area,” a senior officer on the mission explained. “The goal is to keep them constantly off balance so they cannot regroup or threaten nearby communities.”

Barely an hour later and 70 kilometres away, a separate drama unfolded in Isa Local Government Area. Dozens of bandits riding motorcycles rolled toward Gamaroji, a dusty farming community often hit by rustling raids, only to meet an ambush laid by crack operatives on special assignment.

Acting on what authorities described as “specific, time-sensitive intelligence,” the team intercepted the convoy at about 11 a.m. A fierce exchange of fire ensued; one gunman was killed, the rest fled, abandoning two Honda motorcycles, an empty AK magazine and two assault rifles bearing.

Local residents told Zagazola Makama that the rapid response averted what could have been a mass abduction or livestock theft.

“We heard gunshots outside the village and thought they had come for us again,” said farmer Bawa Yusuf. “When it fell silent, we saw security men bringing out seized rifles. People are breathing easier tonight.”

Sokoto’s Eastern corridor from Goronyo down through Isa into Zamfara’s Maradun axis forms a critical transit route for armed gangs shuttling cattle, weapons and abductees between forest camps and black market buyers.

Operation Forest Sanity III, launched in March as the newest phase of the multi agency offensive, focuses on these corridors. Its mix of deliberate daytime assaults and intelligence driven night manoeuvres has already yielded a string of weapons recoveries and hostage rescues.

A defence Intelligence said the aim is two-fold: “Deny the bad actors depth and logistics, while reassuring civilians that the state is reclaiming every contested space.”

For villages like Gamaroji and Indulumu, each successful raid offers a brief respite. Yet many residents remain cautious, mindful that retreating fighters often strike back at soft targets.

A District head who chose to be anonymous for the fear of being targeted urged continued vigilance. “We thank the security forces for today’s success,” he told Zagazola. “But we still need sustained patrols and quick response lines because the criminals melt into other forests.”

Military commanders say the campaign will persist “until all camps are dismantled and freedom of movement is restored.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
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