Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has revealed that over 300,000 repentant Boko Haram members have been successfully reintegrated into society over the past three years.
Zulum shared this information while hosting Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, along with other high-ranking military officials, in Maiduguri.
“In the last three years, Borno State has welcomed more than 300,000 individuals who surrendered to authorities. Not all of them were fighters; some were farmers,” the governor stated.
While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts, Governor Zulum acknowledged that ongoing security challenges in the state still demand urgent support and intervention.
He emphasized the importance of a balanced approach to counterterrorism, combining both military force and non-violent strategies. “I understand the current manpower limitations of the Army, as it is deployed across various regions of the country. However, the North-East still requires more trained personnel,” Zulum said.
The governor also made a distinction between the different insurgent groups in the region, highlighting the differences between Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits. He expressed concern over the increasing foreign support for terrorist groups, particularly ISWAP and Boko Haram. “These groups are receiving international backing, and with our porous borders, infiltration from the Sahel has become a major issue,” he warned, stressing the importance of securing the Sahel for peace in Nigeria.
Zulum further called for an upgrade in military equipment, especially air support, to tackle the growing threat posed by insurgent groups. “We need fighter helicopters and advanced drones. The recent attack in Wulgo was reportedly carried out using armed drones, targeting the Multinational Joint Task Force,” he revealed.
The governor urged the military to act swiftly in procuring advanced drone and anti-drone technology to prevent further damage, warning that continued attacks could threaten the stability of the entire northeastern region.
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