Boko Haram: The worse days are over….Zulum

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno state Governor Prof Babagana Zulum has assured citizens of the state that the worse days of insurgency are over.

In a state wide broadcast as soon as he arrived from his visit to Saudi Arabia, the Governor extinguished any iota of fear in the minds of the residents adding that they should not loose hope now that a ray of hope is waiting for them at the end of the tunnel.

He noted that what residents are witnessing now is the results of the rattling of the criminals in the Timbuktu triangle which is why they are unleashing such wickedness on the citizenry.

“However, I want to reassure you that the worst days are over. We have been constantly assessing the situation, and a robust, coordinated response is already in motion.

” These cowardly elements who seek to disturb our peace will obtain no sanctuary in Borno State. We will deal decisively with their recent resurgence.

“Fellow citizens, this fight is not the responsibility of the military alone; it is a collective effort. I must emphasise the importance of cordial, close collaboration with our military.

“They are here to protect us, and they need our eyes and our ears. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of our gallant soldiers, security personnel and our volunteer forces who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. My heart also goes out to every civilian whose life has been disrupted by this situation. Your resilience is the bedrock of our state, and the power of prayer in unison is a weapon no enemy can withstand.

“Furthermore, let me issue a stern warning to any individual or group that aids or collaborates with these criminals. To those who feed them with information, shelter them and their sympathisers, and provide logistical support, your time is up. You are not patriots; you are enemies of the state. You will be hunted down and made to face the full wrath of the law. Your actions betray our collective peace, and we will no longer tolerate them.”
Said Zulum.

Below is the full text of the governor’s broadcast to the state:

STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF BORNO STATE, PROFESSOR BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM, ON THURSDAY, 19TH MARCH 2026

My dear good people of Borno State,

I address you today at a moment that requires both our solemn reflection and our resolute unity.

Fellow citizens, the recent resurgence of insecurity in parts of our dear state over the past few weeks is deeply concerning. As the Chief Security Officer, let me assure you that the overall security environment, while tested, remains under control, and we are doing everything possible to protect lives and property.

Over the past seven years, we have worked tirelessly to restore peace and prosperity to the great land and rebuild our state. Within the period, we have responded with prompt, positive actions on every occasion. We have not allowed the dark dreams of the wayward ones to take root, and instead, we have fostered hope and resilience among the communities affected by the conflict. Through a combination of consultations and collective planning, with the strong support of our security agencies and the civilian JTF, the Almighty Allah (SWT) has helped us achieve some measure of success and peace.

We do not believe that the decrease in past attacks signals the end of the insurgency. No, it is not. In fact, at the leadership level, we are very conscious of the fact that much more needs to be done to permanently address the root of this madness and the menace of illogical attacks among our peace-loving people.

The recent spike in activity by these criminal elements is a direct consequence of the sustained and aggressive military operations being conducted across the theatre. These operations have dislodged the criminals, forcing them to flee and seek respite by infiltrating our communities.

However, I want to reassure you that the worst days are over. We have been constantly assessing the situation, and a robust, coordinated response is already in motion. These cowardly elements who seek to disturb our peace will obtain no sanctuary in Borno State. We will deal decisively with their recent resurgence.

Fellow citizens, this fight is not the responsibility of the military alone; it is a collective effort. I must emphasise the importance of cordial, close collaboration with our military. They are here to protect us, and they need our eyes and our ears. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of our gallant soldiers, security personnel and our volunteer forces who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. My heart also goes out to every civilian whose life has been disrupted by this situation. Your resilience is the bedrock of our state, and the power of prayer in unison is a weapon no enemy can withstand.

Furthermore, let me issue a stern warning to any individual or group that aids or collaborates with these criminals. To those who feed them with information, shelter them and their sympathisers, and provide logistical support, your time is up. You are not patriots; you are enemies of the state. You will be hunted down and made to face the full wrath of the law. Your actions betray our collective peace, and we will no longer tolerate them.

Let me at this juncture commend the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for releasing the necessary funding to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJT) and several other military operations across different theatres in Nigeria. This support is vital to the sustainability of the ongoing military operations.

I also wish to extend my appreciation to the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who represented the President for the sympathy visit over the recent unfortunate incident.

I also want to extend our profound gratitude to the gallant men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), other law enforcement agencies, our dedicated CJTF, hunters, and vigilantees. Your professionalism, bravery, and sacrifices are the only reasons we have a state to return to. The nation owes you a tremendous debt that can never be fully repaid.

To our revered traditional rulers, I appreciate your steadfastness and your role as the custodians of our culture and conscience. I am equally grateful to our religious leaders and the entire people of Borno for their relentless prayers. I want to urge my colleagues in the political class to unite and support our efforts to restore peace. Our people look up to us for leadership, not division.

My dear people, as the political season intensifies, tensions may rise. But we must align our political interests with the stark realities of our security situation, including ongoing threats from insurgent groups and the need for community stability. Let us not allow politics to undermine the hard-earned peace we have built. I therefore call on all aspirants and their supporters to prioritise the greater interests of Borno State above their personal ambitions.

Since assuming office in 2019, I have been fair, just, and inclusive in my dealings with the entire political class. My loyalty to His Excellency, the Vice President, need not be overemphasized.

Furthermore, as a leader, I have embraced all and sundry. I have never betrayed the trust of members of the national and state assemblies, as well as political office holders of Borno extraction, at the state or national level.

Therefore, I want to call on all political actors to be wary of elements seeking to exploit the current situation to create unnecessary political instability.

As we look to the future and choose a new leader for our state, I urge all citizens to pray fervently for a worthy successor. Let me remind us that power belongs to Allah and He grants it to whom He wills.

As we approach the end of Ramadan, I call on all residents, both Christians and Muslims, to use this last hour of fasting and Sallah celebration to intensify prayers for peace, unity, and stability in our state and the country at large.

Consequently, let me use this opportunity to encourage citizens of Borno to be more vigilant. As we gather to break our fast toward the end of 2026 Ramadan, let us pay attention to our environment. Let us identify strangers, report suspicious movements to security agencies, and take the necessary precautions.

Once again, and with all the emphasis I can command, I urge you all to remain calm and observe your Eid prayers within your communities.

In conclusion, I seek your understanding and forgiveness for our wrongdoings and reassure you that Borno shall not fall into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents, insha Allah.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Borno State.

Thank you and God Bless You

Boko Haram: The worse days are over….Zulum

Eid-el-Fitr: Senator Araraume Greets Muslims, Commends President Tinubu’s Leadership

By: Michael Mike

Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.

In a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, Araraume highlighted the significance of the month long period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion. “As Muslims gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, I join in the cheer, wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Eid,” he said.

The Senator expressed profound appreciation to Muslim Nigerians for their contributions to the nation’s growth, describing their faith, resilience, and patriotism as beacons of hope. “Your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress is truly commendable,” he stated.

As the country navigates its current challenges, Araraume called for unity, understanding, and collective effort. “Let us embrace the spirit of Eid, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come,” he urged.

Araraume also extended solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, a distinguished Muslim and the leader of APC, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to nation building. “President Tinubu’s commitment to serving Nigeria has been exemplary, and we assure him of our continued support,” he said.

Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to national prosperity, Araraume emphasized that the values of compassion, unity, and progress embodied by Eid align deeply with the party’s ethos. “As we mark this occasion, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a Nigeria where faith and ethnic background are not barriers to success,” he concluded.

Eid-el-Fitr: Senator Araraume Greets Muslims, Commends President Tinubu’s Leadership

ActionAid Nigeria Condemns Assault on Women at Ozoro Festival, Demands Arrest of Perpetrators

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has strongly condemned the assault and harassment of women and girls during a cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as a serious violation of human dignity and a reflection of deeper systemic issues of gender-based violence in society.

In a statement issued Friday in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, said the disturbing videos circulating on social media showing women and girls being chased, harassed, and assaulted in public spaces highlight a grave failure to ensure the safety of citizens during community events.

The organisation warned against attempts to trivialise or defend the incidents under the guise of cultural interpretation, stressing that no tradition or festival should be used to justify violence against women and girls.

“Violence against women and girls must never be trivialised, justified, or explained away under any circumstance,” the statement said. “Regardless of how such actions are described, the reality remains that women and girls were subjected to abuse in full public view, and this demands accountability.”

ActionAid Nigeria noted that the Ozoro incident reflects a broader pattern in which harmful social norms, silence, and weak enforcement mechanisms create an environment where gender-based violence persists and perpetrators often go unpunished.

The organisation insisted that cultural events must not become spaces where abuse is normalised or tolerated, warning that attempts to downplay such acts only reinforce impunity and further endanger women and girls.

ActionAid called on the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, to demonstrate decisive leadership by ensuring that law enforcement agencies urgently identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved in the assaults.

It also urged the governor to make public the actions taken by authorities, including arrests and prosecution outcomes, as part of efforts to rebuild public trust and demonstrate zero tolerance for gender-based violence.

The organisation further demanded that security agencies be held accountable for any lapses that allowed the incidents to occur without immediate intervention, emphasising that their responsibility is not only to respond to violence but also to prevent it.

In addition, ActionAid Nigeria called on the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to provide urgent, survivor-centred support to victims, including access to medical care, psychosocial counselling, legal assistance, and safe channels for reporting abuse.

According to the organisation, the incident underscores persistent gaps in protecting women and girls in public and cultural spaces and highlights the urgent need for governments and communities to confront harmful gender norms that enable violence.

ActionAid Nigeria also urged traditional authorities in Ozoro Kingdom to review cultural practices that may expose women and girls to harm, insisting that safeguarding human dignity must remain paramount.

Reaffirming its commitment to gender equality, the organisation said it would continue to advocate for stronger systems that protect the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls across Nigeria while standing in solidarity with survivors of the Ozoro incident.

ActionAid Nigeria Condemns Assault on Women at Ozoro Festival, Demands Arrest of Perpetrators