Borno State

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Sector 1 of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested 6 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and recovered a large cache of materials believed to be intended for terrorist groups during an intelligence-led operation in Borno State.

According to a statement issued on Monday by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, the operation took place at about 4:00 p.m. on July 19, 2026.

The statement said troops acted on credible intelligence and mounted a stop-and-search operation along a route suspected to be used for supplying logistics to terrorists. The operation led to the arrest of the suspects, who were travelling in 5 vehicles and transporting materials allegedly meant for terrorist elements.

Items recovered from the suspects include 202 cartons of herbicides, 1 jerrycan containing suspected acid, 1 Starlink wireless internet communication system, 6 bags of NPK fertiliser, 10 bags of rice, 50 hoes and 20 packs of knapsack sprayer pumps.

The military said preliminary findings suggest the seized items could serve both civilian and military purposes. It added that such materials could support terrorist logistics, mobility, communications and other operational activities. The statement noted that the recovered NPK fertiliser and suspected acid would undergo technical and forensic examination to determine whether they were intended for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The statement described the seizure as a major setback for suspected terrorist logistics networks. It added that the suspects and all recovered exhibits have been handed over to the appropriate Military Intelligence Regiment for further investigation. Authorities hope the investigation will identify the intended recipients of the materials, uncover other members of the logistics network and lead to the arrest of additional collaborators and sponsors.

The military also said preliminary debriefings of rescued hostages and families of surrendered terrorists indicate that sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist supply chains have weakened the operational capacity of insurgent groups. According to the debriefings, shortages of food, medical supplies, communication equipment and other essential materials have forced many terrorists to abandon their hostages, families and camps while escaping sustained military operations.

The statement reaffirmed that Operation Hadin Kai would continue intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist support structures. It said troops would maintain pressure on terrorists, their financiers, logistics suppliers, informants and collaborators in order to deny them the resources and freedom of movement needed to sustain their activities.

The military also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious individuals, movements and activities within their communities.

It said such cooperation remains essential to the success of ongoing counter-terrorism operations and efforts to restore lasting peace in the North-East.

By Uzair Adam 

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the payment of N5.81 billion in outstanding gratuities to retired civil servants and the families of deceased workers in the state.

The governor presented the cheques on Friday at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, in the presence of leaders of organised labour and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners. 

The payment forms part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of retirees and the families of deceased civil servants.

The N5.81 billion package comprises two cheques. The first, valued at N2.99 billion, will clear all outstanding gratuities owed to the families of deceased civil servants. 

The second cheque, amounting to N2.82 billion, will settle gratuities for retirees up to December 2022, including outstanding entitlements owed to former staff of the Borno State Housing Corporation from 2013 to date.

Speaking during the presentation, Zulum said the payment fulfilled a key campaign promise of his administration.

“We are presenting about N5.81 billion to deceased and retired civil servants. We have many civil servants who lost their lives while in service, and their families have continued to face economic challenges. 

“We are therefore providing about N3 billion to support these families so they can live in peace and dignity,” he said.

The governor added that retired civil servants up to 2022 would now receive their gratuities in full, noting that the government would subsequently begin processing payments for those who retired in 2023.

Zulum highlighted previous interventions by his administration aimed at addressing pension and gratuity liabilities. 

According to him, the state government releases N200 million monthly for gratuity payments. 

He also recalled that N8 billion was released in 2025 to settle pensioners’ entitlements and teachers’ gratuities, while N12 billion was disbursed in 2020 to pay about 5,000 retired state and local government workers.

The Commissioner for Finance, Lawan Umar Dalorima, described the payment as another demonstration of the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

Dalorima said the administration remained determined to honour those who devoted their years of service to the development of Borno State.

“This is another demonstration of your compassionate and people-centred leadership, where the welfare of citizens remains a top priority despite competing demands,” he said.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mamman Bukar, commended the governor for clearing the outstanding gratuities, describing the intervention as timely.

He said the payment would ease the hardship experienced by pensioners and the families of deceased workers while reinforcing confidence in the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

Zulum also assured local government employees that his administration was working to address challenges affecting their welfare.

The governor said the state government would soon engage representatives of local government workers to identify practical solutions, noting that the large workforce on local government payrolls had limited the implementation of broader welfare reforms.

He urged the workers to remain patient, assuring them that discussions with their union leadership would commence soon to improve their working conditions and welfare.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested three women suspected of collaborating with ISWAP terrorists during an operation carried out in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the development in a post shared on X.

According to Makama, the arrest followed intelligence reports and intercepted communication that suggested plans to move a woman into a terrorist-controlled area.

He explained that troops of the 222 Battalion (Mechanised) conducted the operation at an Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp in Konduga, where the suspects were apprehended based on intelligence findings.

Makama stated that the women were suspected of assisting communication and movement between civilians and terrorist groups operating in the region.

He added that military authorities had placed the suspects in custody for further investigation and other necessary actions.

“The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt support networks and dismantle collaboration channels aiding terrorist activities in the North-East.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement and possible connections to other elements within the network,” Makama said.

By Uzair Adam


The Borno State Government has announced plans to establish modern rehabilitation centres for juvenile and minor offenders as part of efforts to promote restorative justice and reduce crime among young people.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hauwa Abubakar, disclosed this on Friday during a briefing to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day celebration in Maiduguri.

According to her, the initiative is aimed at moving away from an exclusively punitive justice system toward one that focuses on rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration.

She noted that punishment alone cannot bring about lasting behavioural change, stressing the need for psychological assessment, vocational training, and proper reorientation of offenders.

“Punishment in isolation does not yield the sustainable behavioural reform we desire. We must adopt a compassionate and comprehensive rehabilitation framework that counsels, heals and empowers young offenders, giving them a genuine second chance to become productive and law-abiding citizens,” Abubakar said.

The commissioner explained that the rehabilitation centres form part of a broader agenda of reforms outlined by the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum to strengthen the justice sector, improve offender rehabilitation, and promote public morality.

She also revealed that the state government plans to construct a Judges’ Estate to improve the welfare of judicial officers and reinforce the independence of the judiciary.

According to her, the project has already been included in the current budget and will provide secure and befitting accommodation for judges across the state.

“This modern and high-security Judges’ Estate has already been captured in the current fiscal budget. It is designed to provide premium, secure and conducive accommodation befitting the status and dignity of judicial officers,” she stated.

Abubakar commended Governor Zulum for supporting judicial reforms and infrastructure development in the state.

She said several Magistrate, High and Sharia Courts have been renovated and equipped with modern facilities, while new judicial complexes have been constructed, particularly in communities affected by insurgency.

“As chairperson of the Borno State Anti-Social Vices Committee, we have adopted proactive, intelligence-driven and preventive measures that have contributed to a significant decline in crime and social vices across the state,” she added.

The attorney-general urged community leaders, parents and religious institutions to support efforts aimed at addressing moral decadence and guiding young people towards responsible conduct.

“Eradicating social vices and moral decay is a shared civic responsibility. We must work together to reshape the mindset of our youth and reduce all forms of immorality to the barest minimum,” she said.

By Abdulsalam Alkali

In the scarred landscape of Northeast Nigeria, where Boko Haram’s insurgency has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions since 2009, the quest for peace remains a daily struggle. As military campaigns degraded the group’s territorial hold, a more complex and contentious challenge emerged. What to do with the thousands of fighters and their associates who surrendered or were captured?

The Federal Government’s answer was Operation Safe Corridor, a deradicalization program run from a military-controlled camp in Gombe State. But for the epicentre of the conflict, Borno State, this felt distant and disconnected from the realities of its ravaged communities.

In response, the Borno State Government, under Governor Babagana Zulum, began crafting its own approach, which later became known as “The Borno Model.” 

The model is a non-kinetic approach that handles former Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters through disarmament, demobilization, deradicalization, rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reintegration known as the (Triple D, Triple R).

Unlike the military-run, camp-based system, the Borno Model is fundamentally community-centric. According to the document, “The Borno Model’s philosophy is rooted in an audacious blend of practicality and traditional norms. The model argues that sustainable peace cannot be achieved by isolating ex-combatants in distant camps, only to return them as strangers. Instead, it advocates for a localized process of rehabilitation and reintegration directly into communities, heavily mediated by local organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and victims.

“The model operates on the premise that a significant portion of those in Boko Haram/ISWAP were either forcefully recruited, coerced, or driven by poverty rather than ideology, and that the path to peace requires a form of conditional forgiveness”.

This model has translated into a bold and visible policy as thousands of “repentant Boko Haram” members and their families have been received, housed in temporary “transition camps,” and then resettled in their (or new) communities, often with vocational training and start-up kits.

According to an Institute for Security Studies research document, over 160,000 people had left Boko Haram/ISWAP, with over 100,000 fighters and their families, and an additional 6,900 minors surrendering unconditionally since the program commenced.

Nevertheless, this bold program unfolds against a background of profound pain and frustration, especially for the victims of Boko Haram. 

For communities that have endured massacres, abductions, and arson, the sight of former perpetrators receiving housing and support is a bitter pill to swallow.

Many survivors ask: where is our own rehabilitation? The fears of recidivism, accusations of injustice, and deep-seated trauma that no government program has adequately addressed persist. In the streets of Maiduguri, there is a blend of emotions and concerns among its residents. While some people view this program as a viable way of achieving peace, others see it as something forced upon them by the government.

WHAT VICTIMS SAY

For Bakura Modu, who lost his parents to the insurgents, “Only God will reward us for what we have gone through,” he said with mixed emotions. Bakura Modu lost his entire family, three of his brothers and his parents were killed during the 2014 Bama attack. Bakura escaped the attack and came to Maiduguri, later took shelter with his uncle. Now he struggles to live in Maiduguri with no support from the government. Bakura has not heard or felt carried along in the rehabilitation program.

Like Bakura Modu, Ya Kaltum Bukar, 58, lost her husband and six of her children to Boko Haram insurgents. During the peak of Boko Haram insurgency in Maiduguri, “They came during Ramadan in 2012 and killed my husband and three of my biological children, and after two weeks, they returned and shot three again,” she said. 

YaKaltum only became familiar with the rehabilitation and reintegration program on Radio Programs. Now she struggles to survive in this economy, coupled with health complications.

On returning ex-Boko Haram fighters, Bakura Modu was skeptical, having had no previous knowledge or involvement: “The government has done a lot in resettling people and building homes, but not all victims of the insurgency were carried along,” he said.

According to Barrister Abba Kyari Muhammad, the Borno Model does not strictly adhere to the standard model of transitional justice. He stated that the model largely focuses on disarming insurgents, rehabilitating and reintegrating them back into society, while neglecting other core components of transitional justice, including prosecution, truth-seeking, reparation, and institutional reforms. “These obvious lapses in the implementation of the Borno Model render it something other than transitional justice,” Barr. Kyari stated.

Barr. Kyari lost his mother to the insurgents in 2013, skipped classes while at school, lost his livelihood, and was displaced multiple times within Maiduguri as a result of the insurgency. He said, “Upon all that happened, I am still yet to receive an apology from the government or other authority, let alone compensation.”  He further stated that it is evident there is no meaningful victim compensation within the current transitional justice framework.

LACK OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM

Research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) clearly outlined the lack of community participation in the rehabilitation and reintegration program, stating that “Communities are not involved enough in reintegration even though they facilitated disengagement and are the first point of contact for ex-Boko Haram associates.”

Speaking as both a victim of the insurgency and a professional, Barr. Abba Kyari stated that “I cannot recall encountering any form of victim compensation, reparation, or even apology to those who lost their loved ones. Available evidence suggests that internally displaced persons who are the true victims are largely abandoned, while repentant Boko Haram members are housed, clothed, and well taken care of in government-owned facilities.”

PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF THE PROGRAM.

Moreover, a source from the Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Resettlement (RRR) stated that the program has had both its prospects and challenges, but the government is doing everything within its powers to carry all people along. He noted that victims are also supported with skills and are resettled in their communities as peace gradually returns.

The anonymous source also noted that the Reintegration Committee was constituted by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and it is working round the clock to return refugees from neighbouring countries like Niger, Cameroon, and Chad.

He also clarified that not only ex-fighters undergo rehabilitation it also includes victims, abductees, and communities ravaged by Boko Haram. “All are being rebuilt and resettled, apart from Abadam Local Government that was recently opened after more than a decade of desertion, and it has improved peace in the state,” he noted.

Similarly, Samuel Orahii, reintegration coordinator at Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, a. leading organisation working with the government on community engagement and reintegration, noted that some of their work is confidential and sensitive, however, a lot of success has been achieved, and normalcy has almost been sustained. On the Borno Model, Mr. Samuel stated that “the Borno Model is more of a traditional justice, as communities are involved,” noting that ex-Boko Haram fighters are remorseful, recently, one ex-Boko Haram fighter sought forgiveness on a live radio program on transitional justice sponsored by Allamin Foundation”.

The ISS findings, however, show a lack of adequate funding for the program, stating that “The Borno Model faces persistent challenges, especially in providing sufficient economic support to deserters once they leave the camp. Many former Boko Haram members interviewed in March and June 2025 said they left the group with few employable skills, little start-up capital, and no tools to begin a livelihood. The state has introduced vocational training in the camps, teaching skills such as carpentry, tailoring, welding, and mechanics. It also provides a one-off payment of ₦100,000 (about US $67), but this isn’t enough to restart a life after years in the bush.”

On issues around sustainability of the program, Barr. Kyari noted that the sustainability of the program lies in its economic implications, which largely remain unaddressed. “These people are accustomed to a lavish lifestyle and unrestricted control over territories and resources, yet they are now expected to survive on minimal support. This arrangement is neither realistic nor sustainable and represents a ticking time bomb if left unsolved.”

DOES THE REHABILITATION PROGRAM LEAD TO PEACE?

Moreover, despite the sustained rehabilitation and reintegration program, communities resettled, and livelihoods restored, it remains debatable whether the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-Boko Haram combatants have brought peace or otherwise. Many experts agree that since the collapse of leadership upon the death of Abubakar Shekau, many ex-fighters have retreated and laid down their arms, surrendering to Nigerian authorities. Subsequently, with intensified military aggression by Nigerian forces and the loss of many territorials holds by the insurgents, the group has systematically shifted its focus from ransacking communities to abductions, collecting ransom, and taxing in some areas within the Lake Chad region.

A HumAngle tracker from the last quarter of 2025 indicated that Borno State experienced the highest number of abductions, with over 161 people in a total of 31 kidnapping incidents. “A total of 116 incidents with fatalities were experienced,” the report stated. According to sources interviewed by HumAngle, the group has raked in over ₦1 billion through these random operations. 

This report is corroborated by Yerwa Express News’s recent report of the abduction of seven fishermen from Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, with a ransom demand of ₦30 million.

This report is supported by HumAngle Foundation under ‘Fellowship on Strengthening Community Journalism and Human Right Advocacy In Northern Nigeria (SCOJA)’.

By Imam Malik ABDULLAHI Kaga

Your Excellency, Sir,

Permit me to respectfully introduce myself. My name is Imam Malik Abdullahi Kaga, a young advocate for youth inclusion in governance in Borno State. I hail from Wajiro village in Kaga Local Government Area and currently reside in Jere Local Government Area.

Your Excellency, I write this letter with two sincere intentions. First, to express my profound appreciation for the remarkable transformation that Borno State has experienced under your leadership. Second, to humbly advocate for the emergence of a worthy successor who will continue, and perhaps even surpass, the legacy you have built.

History often remembers leaders not only for what they achieved while in office, but also for the institutions, systems, and leaders they helped shape for the future. In this regard, your tenure stands out as one that will be remembered for courage, sacrifice, and a relentless commitment to rebuilding a state that once stood at the centre of one of the most difficult humanitarian and security crises in our nation’s history.

Since assuming office as Governor, Borno State has steadily moved along the path of recovery, stability, and development. Across critical sectors, specifically security stabilisation, education revival, healthcare expansion, infrastructure rebuilding, and human capital development, your administration has restored confidence and renewed hope among citizens.

Across the state, the impact of your leadership is visible. The name Zulum has come to represent resilience, discipline, and purposeful governance. In the eyes of many citizens (both indigenous and non), you have demonstrated that leadership is not merely about holding office, but about service, courage, and responsibility.

Indeed, like every human endeavour, governance inevitably carries moments that fall short of expectations. Yet the weight of your accomplishments far outweighs such moments. May Allah forgive your shortcomings and reward your sincerity and dedication in the service of the people of Borno State.

Your Excellency, Sir,

As elections gradually approach, conversations about the future leadership of Borno State will naturally intensify. This moment, however, not merely presents a political transition, but an important historical responsibility. 

The foundations your administration has laid must not only be preserved but strengthened. The Borno 25-Year Development Framework provides a clear vision for transformation and development; the leadership that succeeds you will be responsible for ensuring this vision continues to move forward with the same discipline and determination.

Over the years, Your Excellency, you have mentored and entrusted many young, capable individuals with leadership responsibilities across government parastatal and ministries. Many of them have grown under your guidance and have demonstrated commitment, discipline, and service in various capacities. This is one of the enduring strengths of your administration. You have not only governed but also cultivated leadership.

Among those who have served under your watch are individuals who have observed your work ethic, your decisiveness, and your relentless focus on results. Such individuals understand the philosophy that has driven your administration. 

Your Excellency, therefore, you are uniquely positioned to recognise who among those you have mentored possesses the character, vision, courage, and administrative capacity required to sustain the momentum of your achievements.

Your Excellency, sir, across the world today, younger leaders are increasingly demonstrating the capacity to drive reform, strengthen institutions, and accelerate economic development. When youthful energy is combined with discipline, experience, and mentorship, it often yields bold, transformative leadership.

Sir, closer to home, the youthful leadership within your administration stands as clear proof that young minds can bring innovation, energy, and integrity to governance. These qualities speak directly to the four enabling foundations of the Borno 25-Year Development Framework. 

One of the most defining qualities of your leadership has been decisiveness. At critical moments, your ability to make firm and timely decisions restored confidence in governance and accelerated progress across many sectors. This quality has become a hallmark of your administration.

As Borno looks toward the future, it is important that the leadership which follows continues to embody this same strength of character, clarity of purpose, and courage in decision-making. Such leadership will ensure continuity, preserve stability, and sustain the progress already achieved.

Your Excellency, sir, many citizens across the state quietly share a hope that the next phase of Borno’s leadership will not only preserve your legacy but also elevate it even further. In most conversations across the state, one often hears a phrase that captures this aspiration in simple language, the desire for what some describe as a “Zulum Pro Max.”

By this, people mean a leader who embodies the courage, discipline, integrity, and commitment to service that have defined your tenure, while also building upon the strong foundation you have established.

Your Excellency, the decision regarding the future leadership of Borno State carries immense significance. History will remember not only the progress achieved during your tenure but also the path charted for the years that follow.

May Allah continue to guide your wisdom, strengthen your resolve, and bless Borno State with lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.

In my next letter, I intend to respectfully share my thoughts on one of your mentees, whom many Bornoans believe reflects the qualities needed to advance this vision and carry Borno State to the next level of development.

Yours sincerely,
Imam Malik Abdullahi Kaga.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has acknowledged receipt of a formal petition alleging medical negligence and unprofessional conduct in the treatment of Alhaji Nuhu Dantani, who died at the facility on March 31, 2026.

In an official letter dated April 17, 2026, and signed by the Director of Administration, Idriss Omar, on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, Prof. A. Ahidjo, the hospital management confirmed that an internal investigation has been initiated into the circumstances surrounding the death.

The petition was filed by Hamza N. Dantani Esq. of Potent Attorneys in Abuja, who is acting on behalf of the deceased’s family. The legal complaint cites systemic failure and demands accountability for the loss of the elder statesman, who was admitted under Hospital Number 760494.

In the hospital’s response addressed to the family’s legal counsel, management extended “heartfelt condolences” and acknowledged the severity of the allegations.

“We understand the gravity of the concerns raised and wish to assure you that the Hospital takes allegations of medical negligence and unprofessional conduct seriously,” the statement read in part. “A thorough investigation into the matter has been initiated, and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that justice is served.”

The hospital has not disclosed the details of the specific clinical incident or the nature of the alleged negligence pending the outcome of the investigation. The case has highlighted patient safety protocols at one of Northeast Nigeria’s largest tertiary healthcare institutions.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Nigeria’s military has suffered another devastating loss after a senior army officer was killed in a coordinated attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

Colonel I.A. Mohammed, Commander of the 242 Battalion, died when his convoy was ambushed by fighters in the Moguno area, near the town of Boron. According to military sources, the troops were reinforcing a military camp under attack when their formation was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED), followed by heavy gunfire from insurgents hidden along the route.

Several other soldiers also lost their lives in the attack. Casualty figures have not been officially released, but a military source confirmed that the death toll includes the commanding officer and other ranks.

Colonel Mohammed’s death marks the fifth loss of a top-ranking military officer in Nigeria in 2026 alone — all within the first four months of the year. The repeated targeting of senior commanders has raised urgent questions about operational security and the resilience of the military’s command structure in the northeast counterinsurgency campaign.

As of press time, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement, but an internal security briefing described the incident as a “well-planned ambush with high-grade explosives.”

The insurgency in Borno, which has persisted for over a decade, continues to exact a heavy toll on both combatants and civilians, despite repeated government claims that Boko Haram has been largely defeated.

By Anas Abbas 

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has killed more than 25 terrorists in a coordinated night air raid around Bula in Yobe State and the Banki axis of Borno State.

Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja. 

He explained that the operation was carried out on September 18, following actionable intelligence provided by ground troops.

According to Ejodame, a combination of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets and strike aircraft tracked terrorist movements and spotted multiple groups north of Banki. The terrorists were then hit in three successive precision strikes along their movement routes and assembly points.

“Real-time updates were relayed to ground forces and base operations, enabling synchronised action. The strike aircraft engaged the terrorists in three successive precision strikes, effectively neutralising more than 25 fighters,” Ejodame stated.

He added that post-strike surveillance confirmed that ground forces had maintained their defensive positions, with no further threats detected.

Ejodame said the operation highlighted the Air Force’s unwavering support for ground troops and its commitment to denying terrorists freedom of action in the North-East.

The operation comes just days after Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Darajamal community in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno on September 8, killing at least 63 people, including five soldiers. The attackers, who rode in on motorcycles, shot indiscriminately, razed houses and vehicles before military reinforcements arrived.

Governor Babagana Zulum had described that incident as “very sad,” confirming the death toll and pledging government support to the affected families.

By Anas Abbas

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has condemned the killing of 58 civilians and five soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in Darajamal, a community in Bama Local Government Area.

Zulum, who visited the community on Saturday, expressed deep grief over the attack, which occurred on Friday night.

He sympathized with the families of the victims and assured residents of government’s commitment to strengthening security.

“We are here to commiserate with the people of Darajamal over what happened last night that claimed the lives of many people. It is very sad,” the governor told journalists.

“This community was resettled only a few months ago, and people had returned to their normal activities. Unfortunately, they have now suffered another Boko Haram attack.”

Confirming the casualty figures, the governor disclosed that 63 persons were killed, including nearly 60 civilians and five soldiers. He stressed the urgent need to complement the efforts of the military with the newly trained Forest Guards.

“The numerical strength of the military is not enough to cover everywhere,” Zulum noted. “So far, two sets of Forest Guards have been trained. Deploying them to vulnerable communities and forests will go a long way in preventing further attacks.”

Also reacting, Senator Kaka Lawan of Borno Central, whose constituency covers Darajamal, condemned the killings, describing the attack as a crime against humanity.

He pledged legislative support to Governor Zulum’s efforts to restore lasting peace in the state.