Governor Babagana Zulum, and members of the National Assembly representing Borno, paid working visits to Nigerian Defence Headquarters and Service Chiefs on Wednesday and Thursday 9-10 April 2025. In the entourage of Gov Zulum were Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume representing Borno South; Mohammed Tahir Monguno representing Borno North; and Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN representing Borno Central. Others were Honorable Mukhtar Aliyu Betara member representing Biu-Kwaya Kusar-Shani Constituency at the Federal House of representatives; Honorable Bukar Talba, member representing Marte-Monguno-Nganzai Constituency, and Prof Usman Tar, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security.
The aim of the visit was to express the appreciations of the Government and people of Borno on the services and sacrifices of our gallant troops, and also to request for enhanced collaborative efforts of the military to reverse the recent resurgence of Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks in Borno State, and to decisively win the counterinsurgency operations tagged Operation Hadin Kai in the North East..
We shall coordinate a combined campaign to counter the insurgency – Defence Chief General Musa
At the Defence Headquarters, Gov Zulum expressed deep appreciation to the armed forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa for providing overall guidance and coordination to the Armed Forces. Gov Zulum particularly thanked the President, Commander in Chief for ensuring that the armed forces performed their constitutional duty of defending Nigeria from foreign incursion and internal insurrection. Gov Zulum expressed the unalloyed loyalty of the people of Borno to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In his remarks, Gov Zulum stated “We deeply appreciate the Chief of Defence Staff and his team for their selfless service to Nigeria, and for recent changes in the command and control of the armed forces.”
Gov Zulum further remarked “On Tuesday 8 April, the Borno State Security Council reviewed the security situation in Borno State and expressed dismay over the resurgence of Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks and the dislodgement of some military formations in Borno State. The Council appealed to the federal government and the armed forces to mount emergency measures to reverse the recent misfortunes. The Theater command in the northeast operation is trying but like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more.”
In his response, General Musa assured Gov Zulum that the armed forces will not rest on their oars, and will take speedy, collaborative measures to turn the tide in favour of Nigeria.
The Army will obliterate the insurgents, support Borno Recovery – General Oluyede
At the Army Headquarters, Gov Zulum and his team were received by the Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede and his principal staff officers. After thanking the Nigerian Army for their gallant operations in Borno State, Gov Zulum called on the Army Chief to take the necessary measures to recalibrate and rejuvenate the army to not only mount checkpoints, but also take the battle to the enemy. In particular, Gov Zulum requested the army to conduct continuous offensive missions, followed by stabilisation operations; support the government’s resettlement campaign; provide security for farmers, and commit to civil-military relations with a view to winning the hearts and minds of the people.
In his response, Gen Oluyede assured Gov Zulum that the army will do all within its powers and resources to clear the doubts of the enemy. He said though the army is over-stretched conducting national security operations throughout the country, the Northeast theatre will receive a renewed attention. “We will make the necessary changes and review our efforts in the northeast theatre to achieve a better result” noted Gen Oluyede.
The Naval Base Lake Chad will be upgraded and repositioned – Admiral Ogalla
At the Naval Headquarters, Gov Zulum and his team were received by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla and his staff officers. In his remarks, Gov Zulum noted that Borno is a littoral state with 25% of Lake Chad in its territorial domain. As such the dominance of the Navy in the maritime domain will ensure that the enemy does not use the Lake Chad as a route and staging post to attack our country. In his response, Admiral Ogalla assured Gov Zulum that the naval headquarters is taking steps to upgrade the naval base and provide additional equipment to support the unit. Admiral Ogalla noted the strategic role of the Naval Base Lake Chad in reinforcing combined military operations at the northeast theatre, and pledged to work closely with his fellow service chiefs to defend and safeguard the Lake Chad Basin.
Air Power is a game changer – Air Marshal Abubakar
At the Air Headquarters, Gov Zulum and his entourage were received by the Air Chief, Air Marshall Hassan Bala Abubakar and his team. After thanking the Nigerian Air Force for its sterling performance demonstrated by the air component of the Northeast theatre, Gov Zulum noted that air power is key to dislodging the Boko Haram/ISWAP elements at the Sambisa Forest,Timbuktu Triangle, Lake Chad area and Mandara mountain range. Gov Zulum recalled that the air component has conducted relentless and consistent air missions throughout the Northeast and Lake Chad region to support national and regional security objectives: “if not for the air power, our story would have been different. We thank the air component under the able command of Air Commodore Idris for never letting the enemy get their way. We also thank the 105 composite group for safeguarding the airbase, the Maiduguri international airport and environs from criminality. We are here to say thank you” Gov Zulum exclaimed.
In his response, Air Marshall Abubakar appreciated the commendation of Gov Zulum and pledged to continue to strengthen both the air component and air composite group with a view to achieving even better results.
Throughout the courtesy visits, Gov Zulum maintained the gratitude of the people of Borno to the armed forces and federal government for bringing federal might to bear in the northeast. However, Gov Zulum called on the armed forces not to divert attention from the northeast theatre as the BH/ISWAP are tirelessly looking for loopholes in our defence and security architecture with a view to reversing our recent achievements in securing Nigeria. “We cannot afford to loose our grounds” admonished Gov Zulum.
Directorate of Information,
Ministry of Information and Internal Security,
Borno State
