Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed confidence that the most devastating phase of the Boko Haram insurgency has passed, despite acknowledging a recent rise in attacks across the state.
The governor made the remark on Wednesday during a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Shuaibu Waidi, at the headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri.
Reflecting on the security situation, Zulum said current challenges do not compare to the peak years of the insurgency, when communities suffered frequent and large-scale assaults. He noted that although isolated attacks persist, the overall security trajectory points toward sustained improvement.
“Yes, we have witnessed a series of attacks on our communities and the security forces, but the worst is over,” Zulum said. “We shall continue to collaborate and provide the needed intelligence to our security forces to bring this madness to an end.”
The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with the military and other security agencies. He emphasized that defeating terrorism requires collective responsibility and timely information-sharing to prevent further attacks.
Zulum also commiserated with the Nigerian Army over recent operational setbacks in the North-East, praising the resilience and sacrifice of officers and soldiers, many of whom he described as heroes who pay the ultimate price.
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, we stand with the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces. We will not take their sacrifice for granted,” he said.
In his response, the Chief of Army Staff commended Zulum for his unwavering support to troops on the frontlines. Lt Gen. Waidi assured the state government that the Army headquarters remains committed to supplying all necessary logistics and resources to ensure mission success.
“I want to most sincerely, on behalf of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army, extend our appreciation to His Excellency for visiting us at a time like this,” the COAS said. “From the Army headquarters, we will provide all the necessary resources needed to ensure they achieve their mission.”