Zulum Moves To Resettle Displaced Communities As Insecurity Forces Fresh Humanitarian Crisis In Borno

By Bukar BOLORI

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has pledged immediate humanitarian intervention and long-term resettlement support for thousands of displaced residents in Monguno following renewed insecurity in parts of northern Borno.

The governor gave the assurance on Sunday during a visit to internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltering in Monguno town, where he met with affected families and assessed conditions at the camp amid growing concerns over fresh displacement triggered by insurgent attacks in the Lake Chad region.

Addressing displaced residents, Zulum said the state government, in collaboration with the Nigerian military authorities, had concluded plans to provide urgent relief materials and improve living conditions for affected communities.

“We have examined the situation critically alongside the hierarchy of the Nigerian military, and it has been concluded that we shall provide immediate humanitarian support to these displaced communities, especially in the areas of water, shelter, and sanitation,” the governor said.

“Apart from this, we shall also ensure that medium and longer-term sustainable solutions are being adopted, which is acceptable to this community and their ancestral home,” he added.

The visit comes amid renewed security challenges in northern parts of Borno State, particularly in communities around Marte, Monguno, Guzamala and Abadam local government areas, where sporadic attacks by insurgents have continued to force residents out of their homes despite years of military operations against terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad basin.

Borno, the epicentre of Nigeria’s over decade-long insurgency, has witnessed repeated cycles of displacement, resettlement and renewed attacks since the Boko Haram conflict erupted in 2009.

Although significant territories have been reclaimed by security forces over the years, attacks on remote communities and military formations have persisted, creating fresh humanitarian concerns.

Governor Zulum, who has consistently advocated community resettlement as part of efforts to rebuild livelihoods and restore economic activities in liberated communities, disclosed that over 50,000 returnees were currently in Marte Local Government Area.

He said plans were underway to facilitate the safe return of more displaced persons to their ancestral communities under a coordinated recovery strategy.

“We will improve the living conditions of the displaced persons; we will not allow our citizens to endure such hardship without urgent government intervention,” he stated.

The governor also urged residents to collaborate with security agencies through timely intelligence sharing, stressing that sustainable peace required collective vigilance.

“Security is everybody’s business. Communities must continue to support security agencies with timely and useful information,” he said.

As part of immediate government actions, Zulum directed the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, the Commissioner for Internal Security, and the Chairman of Marte Local Government Area to work out modalities for implementing the intervention measures approved during the visit.

The governor further sympathised with victims of the recent violence and reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue supporting communities affected by insurgency across the state.

Beyond the humanitarian visit, Zulum also inspected the Monguno Eye Hospital, where he commended medical personnel for sustaining healthcare services despite difficult operational conditions and limited resources.

He announced financial support for health workers at the facility to boost morale and improve healthcare delivery in the area.

The governor later visited the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Mairari for a security briefing on the operational situation within the axis.

Governor Zulum was accompanied by the Senator representing Borno North, Mohammed Monguno; Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan; member representing Marte, Monguno and Nganzai Federal Constitucy, Bukar Talba; Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar; Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele, alongside other senior government officials.