Governor Zulum calls for urgent action on Borno border security after Boko Haram attack in Kirawa, pledging rebuilding, compensation, and youth empowerment.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has renewed his urgent appeal for stronger Borno border security, stressing the need for immediate military deployment to communities along Nigeria’s frontiers.
According to him, border towns like Kirawa, Baga, Damasak, Wulgo, and Malam Fatori are not only crucial for economic survival but also for national and regional stability.
Governor Zulum made the call on Friday during a sympathy visit to Kirawa, Gwoza Local Government Area, after Boko Haram terrorists attacked the town on Monday night.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum
The insurgents killed two residents, razed the district head’s home, and destroyed more than 50 houses, shops, vehicles, and heavy-duty equipment.
The governor regretted that despite his repeated warnings to security authorities about the dangers of leaving border towns unprotected, his earlier appeals for troop deployment received little attention.
He recalled that Kirawa, which had once been secured with the help of Cameroonian soldiers, became vulnerable after those troops were displaced months ago.
“Border communities like Wulgo, Baga, Damasak, Malam Fatori, and Kirawa must be secured. They are lifelines for trade and survival. Unfortunately, the lack of strong Borno border security has exposed them to repeated attacks,” Zulum lamented.
After a closed-door meeting with the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, and the Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Zulum announced that the military agreed to immediately deploy soldiers to Kirawa.
During his visit, the governor pledged to rebuild all destroyed homes and upgrade the burnt dispensary into a fully equipped General Hospital.
He also assured victims of possible compensation and promised employment opportunities for qualified youths alongside empowerment programs for women.
Beyond reconstruction, Zulum urged community members to collaborate with the military and expose terrorist collaborators.
He emphasized that security is a shared responsibility, and only with unity can border communities resist insurgent infiltration.
In response, the district head of Kirawa, Abdulrahman Abubakar, thanked the governor for his quick intervention.
He pledged that residents would cooperate with security agencies and the Civilian Joint Task Force to safeguard their community.
Observers note that towns like Baga and Damasak are vital for fishing, agriculture, and cross-border trade with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Strengthening Borno border security will not only protect lives but also revive economic activities that are central to the state’s recovery.
The Boko Haram insurgency has displaced millions and crippled the Northeast for over a decade.
While military gains have been recorded, analysts warn that without securing border towns, insurgents will continue to exploit weak points to launch attacks.
Governor Zulum’s renewed appeal sends a strong message: restoring lasting peace in Borno requires urgent reinforcement of Borno border security.
His promises of rebuilding, compensation, and empowerment provide hope, but the true test remains the Federal Government’s ability to act swiftly and decisively.
Until troops are fully deployed and communities secured, border residents remain vulnerable.
Yet with strengthened security and community cooperation, there is hope for rebuilding lives, reviving the economy, and achieving lasting peace.
