Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has strongly criticized Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, labeling him as “naive” regarding the country’s ongoing security challenges. This sharp rebuke follows a recent Boko Haram attack on the Damboa-Maiduguri road on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of eight people.
An explosive device, planted by Boko Haram insurgents, detonated on the crucial road connecting the state capital, Maiduguri, to Damboa. In the aftermath of the deadly incident, which also left seven individuals with severe injuries and fourteen others with minor injuries, Governor Zulum expressed his dismay.
“I believe the Minister of Information is naive about what is happening in the country. He doesn’t know what is ongoing in the country,” Governor Zulum stated, reacting to recent comments made by the Minister about the security situation in Borno State. The Governor emphasized the urgent need for a more informed understanding of the realities on the ground.
Despite the tragedy, Governor Zulum urged communities and the Nigerian military to maintain resilience. He highlighted the unusual distance some victims traveled, noting, “I want to advise the communities to be resilient enough. I want to advise the Nigerian Army to be resilient enough because there’s no way people will travel a distance of 700 kilometers to go to Damboa. Ordinarily, they come here to Damboa, it’s only about 100 kilometers.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to securing the Damboa-Maiduguri road, Governor Zulum declared, “We shall ensure that travel from Maiduguri to Damboa will continue. This will not deter us from following the road, artillery, and all other security agencies to give up security along the road so that such incidents will not happen again.”
The Governor also shared details of his discussions with top military officials in Abuja, including the Chief of Army Staff, the Naval Staff, and the Air Staff, who assured him of the military’s continued efforts to combat the insurgency. “We are so happy with the response that we had from the service chiefs,” he noted.
Expressing confidence in the state’s ability to prevent a resurgence of past levels of insurgency, Governor Zulum stated, “I want to assure the people of Borno State that Insha Allah, under my watch, Boko Haram will not have the capacity to do what they did before.” He underscored his commitment to strengthening state defenses and supporting local security initiatives involving hunters and vigilantes.
Governor Zulum reiterated his commitment to working in partnership with the federal government and the military to comprehensively address the security situation in Borno State. “I will keep up to the expectations of the people of Borno State by completely addressing the problem of insecurity,” he affirmed.
The Governor’s strong statement underscores the persistent security challenges in Borno State, where Boko Haram continues to pose a significant threat despite ongoing military operations.
Earlier reports from SaharaReporters corroborated the incident, detailing the detonation of an explosive device, allegedly planted by Boko Haram, on the Damboa-Maiduguri road. Local sources, including social media users, have also confirmed the attack and the long-standing dangers faced by residents in the area.
“You’re Naive” Borno Governor Blasts Minister of Information Over Security Claims
