Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state, has challenged the military, police and other security agencies to secure the state against terrorism in 2022, According to him, the Federal Government, international development partners, organised private sector (OPS) and traditional rulers have supported the government since the 2009 Boko Haram insurgency. “We must recognize their collective support and the dedication to work they had been rendering during the 12-year insurgency,” he said. The challenges of security were contained in the Governor’s 2022 New Year message to the international community and residents in the state.
“In 2022, I however challenged all of you to do more to secure people’s lives and property in the Northeast,” he declared; noting that Borno was the most hit during the over a decade insurgency. Besides, he noted that there cannot be livelihood recoveries without the safety of people’s life and property. “We’re not yet where we should be,” he said, stating that certainly, they are making progress to secure more communities, before IDPs are returned to communities. He therefore warned that the government will not be distracted by all kinds of speculations on the 2023 general elections in the country. He added that even though there are those who work for elections for their legacies, the Zulum administration is committed to redeem the electioneering campaigns made to the people. “We’re committed to do our best to provide the various dividends of democracy to the electorates,” he said; adding that there is time and space for everything in life.
Continued: “I am committed to ensuring more support for our security forces and the indefatigable local vigilantes that are helping us.” On the closures of IDP camps, he said: “Our strategy for strengthening resilience was a bold step taken to close down six camps in the Maiduguri metropolis,” disclosing that the 22 official camps would be closed this year. He attributed camps closures to the cleanup of places to provide dignity to the people, perpetrations of social vices, including prostitution and drug addiction; and the inability of Governments and humanitarian agencies to sustain them. He said the building of permanent structures will ensure people have access to land, as well as making life better in rural communities. He added that the 2022 budget has accorded priority to the education sector, with other sectors under the State Government’s focus.
