Babagan Zulum, the governor of Borno State, has issued a stern warning regarding potential suicide bombings in Maiduguri during the Sallah festivities. Attributing the heightened threat to Boko Haram’s desperate response to increased military pressure, the Governor urged residents to maintain maximum vigilance.
The warning follows the devastating triple suicide bombings on Monday, March 9, which resulted in 28 fatalities and over 100 injuries. Zulum expressed profound grief over the resurgence of terror, noting that the state remains a primary target as insurgents attempt to disrupt the hard-won relative peace.
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Reaffirmation of Faith and Communal Support
Conveying his congratulations to the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of Ramadan, Governor Zulum highlighted the spiritual significance of the period. Through a statement by his spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, he urged the citizenry to sustain the lessons of faith, spirituality, and charity to aid in the reconstruction of a secure Borno.
The Governor described this year’s Ramadan as unique, citing an unprecedented humanitarian outreach programme. According to official figures, the administration reached over 300,000 vulnerable individuals with food and essential commodities across all 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to mitigate the impact of the insurgency.
Strategic Defence and Counter-Insurgency Operations
Despite recent casualties among both military personnel and civilians, the Governor reiterated his resolve to tackle security challenges head-on. He commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for ongoing offensive operations in the Sambisa Forest and called for similar, coordinated strikes in the Mandara Mountains and the Lake Chad Basin.
Zulum pledged an “unbreakable promise” to double down on logistical and financial support for security agencies and volunteer forces. He emphasised that the administration is working closely with federal forces to deploy new strategies designed to plug the loopholes currently being exploited by terrorists.
Public Safety Mandate for Eid Observances
In anticipation of the Eid-el-Fitr prayers, the Governor assured the public that all praying grounds will be heavily secured. He strongly advised residents to heed security warnings, steer clear of unguarded crowded locations, and report suspicious individuals to the authorities immediately.
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”With the renewal of terror attacks, especially suicide bombings, I urge the people to uphold their decades-old personal and communal safety initiatives,” Zulum stated. He expressed optimism that the security forces are currently deploying their most sophisticated strategies to date to end the 15-year insurgency.
