Zulum: We’ll Partner Military To Increase Safe Access To Farmlands

By Bukar Bolori

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has expressed readiness of his government to partner with the military in order to allow farmers in the state access to their farmlands.

Zulum, who noted that it is essential for farmers to have access especially during the rainy season to their farmlands for improve productivity and improved living condition, gave the promise on working in collaboration on some initiatives that will give farmers in Borno State increased and safe access to their farmlands, while at Keleri, a town in the outskirt of Maiduguri, located along Maiduguri-Mafa-Dikwa- Gamboru Highway.

The governor gave the assurance while interacting with thousands of farmers, who were held back at about 11am on Saturday at a military road block as they awaited clearance to access their farmlands.

Zulum said: “We (our farmers) had access (to their farmlands) in 2020, 2021 and 2022, I see no reason why we can’t have access to our farmlands in 2023 whereas there is a greater improvement in terms of security (in this 2023). I will see the military command and insha’Allah, we will discuss and come up with a strong mechanism that would allow farmers to safely cultivate their lands and we will also deal ruthlessly with some of the miscreants harbouring around the metropolitan and its environs.”

He added that “farming is very important to all of us, food insecurity is the worst form of insecurity. Therefore, we will not allow food insecurity to surface in this part where we have started to witness the return of peace substantially.”

Zulum assured of government’s commitment to improving security around farmlands through the use of more agro rangers to protect farmers from miscreants perpetrating criminal activities on soft targets.

The governor called on the people to be resilient and conscious of the happenings around them and also report any suspicious activity to security operatives, while tasking citizens to cooperate with the military and other security agencies.