Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has expressed his concern over the escalating Boko Haram crisis in the North-East region of Nigeria. He said that the terrorist group poses a serious threat to the security and stability of the whole country if not contained.
Gov. Babagana Zulum made this remark on Monday, when he received the newly appointed management board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) at the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri. He urged the commission to partner with the state government in addressing the humanitarian and developmental challenges caused by the insurgency.
Babagana Zulum said that Borno State, which shares borders with Chad, Cameroon, and Niger Republic, has a strategic position on the map of Nigeria. He said that the porous borders make it difficult to maintain security in the North-East subregion, which affects the entire country.
Gov. Zulum said that while other regions are facing issues such as banditry and kidnapping, Borno State is the epicenter of Boko Haram and ISWAP activities. He said that it is imperative to control them, not only for the sake of Borno State, but for the sake of Nigeria.
He warned that if the younger generation is not prevented from joining Boko Haram and ISWAP, the future of Nigeria will be in jeopardy. He said that the terrorists could wipe out the entire country if they are not stopped.
He also lamented the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State, who number over one million. He said that the IDP camps are breeding grounds for social problems such as prostitution, drug abuse, and unwanted pregnancies. He said that these camps are also potential recruitment centers for Boko Haram and ISWAP.
He said that he wants the intervention of the NEDC to close down these IDP camps and enable the people to return to their homes and livelihoods. He said that this is essential for restoring peace and stability in Borno State.
He said that he has already fulfilled his promise to close all official camps within Maiduguri Metropolitan Council with the help of God. He said that his next agenda is to close all IDP camps in other local government areas of Borno State.