Zulum assesses security situation, ongoing capital projects in Borno South

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum performed his official government duties on Thursday from the Zonal Department of Monitoring, Evaluation and Special Projects (MESP) office in Biu, Biu local government area.

This underscores his administration’s commitment to grassroots governance and bringing government closer to the people.

The Biu MESP zonal office, which operates under the Governor’s Office, was established and commissioned by Governor Zulum in 2022 to strengthen public service delivery, enhance accountability, improve project monitoring and evaluation, and accelerate infrastructural development across the Southern Borno senatorial zone.

Similar zonal offices have also been established in Monguno and Bama to serve the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, respectively.

Thursday’s engagement marked the first time Governor Zulum officially operated from the Biu Zonal Office since its establishment, making it a significant milestone in the decentralisation of government operations.

The Governor, while in the office, met with the Sector 2 Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, and the Brigade Commander, 29 Taskforce Brigade, Benishiekh, on how to consolidate the recent gains in the counterinsurgency operations.

The governor’s decision to conduct official state business from the facility reflects his leadership philosophy of taking governance to the grassroots rather than confining government activities to Maiduguri.

Throughout the past seven years, Zulum has maintained a unique style of governance, travelling extensively across all 27 local government areas to personally assess projects and engage directly with the community.

In addition to operating from the Government House, the governor has, since assuming office in 2019, regularly conducted official functions from the Musa Usman Secretariat, which serves as his second operational office for attending to state affairs.

Zulum is currently on a working tour of Southern Borno. On Wednesday, he flagged off the 2026 Wet Farming Season and launched the sales and distribution of 200 truckloads of NPK fertiliser at 50 per cent subsidised rates, alongside the distribution of free agrochemicals, knapsack sprayers, certified seeds, water pumps and 10,000 bicycles to smallholder farmers in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area.

During the visit to Biu, the governor also announced the employment of 100 unemployed graduates from Biu Local Government Area as part of measures to tackle youth restiveness, political thuggery and other social vices. The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji (Dr) Mustapha Umar Mustapha II.

The governor also met with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Biu, where he announced a welfare package of ₦50,000 for each corps member.

As part of the intervention, corps members who are nursing mothers will receive an additional ₦200,000 each, while the NYSC Zonal Inspector was given ₦250,000. Other NYSC officials, including the liaison officer, received ₦100,000 each in recognition of their service and commitment.

Troops Foil ISWAP Attack, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Fresh Borno Operations

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East under Operation Hadin Kai has repelled an attempted attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on the Logomani community in the Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State and rescued two kidnapped victims during separate operations across the region.

The latest operations, carried out in Borno and Adamawa states, also resulted in the arrest of suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and the recovery of arms, ammunition, cash and other materials believed to support insurgent activities.

According to the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, troops have maintained operational pressure on terrorist groups through sustained search-and-rescue missions, intelligence-driven operations and coordinated security efforts aimed at restricting the movement and activities of insurgents across the Northeast.

Captain Goni said troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion rescued two abducted persons during a search-and-rescue mission in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on 7 July.

He disclosed that the victims were found in a terrorist hideout, while troops recovered ₦1.2 million suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities, alongside food items and other logistics believed to have been used to sustain terrorist operations.

The rescued victims have since been moved to a secure location, where they are receiving medical attention and psychosocial support.

In another major operation, troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Logomani, Ngala Local Government Area, successfully repelled a coordinated assault by ISWAP fighters who attempted to overrun the military base before targeting the border community near Cameroon.

Although the attackers briefly breached part of the base’s defensive perimeter during the fierce exchange of gunfire, the troops regrouped quickly, launched a counter-attack and forced the insurgents to retreat after inflicting heavy casualties.

Captain Goni said many of the fleeing terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds.

He, however, confirmed that one soldier was killed during the battle, while two military gun trucks and some combat equipment were damaged.

He added that the base remains under the full control of Operation Hadin Kai troops, with additional reinforcements deployed and further defensive measures put in place to strengthen security around the location.

Elsewhere, troops of the 232 Battalion arrested a suspected notorious criminal during an intelligence-led operation in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Subsequent operations led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. The suspect remains in military custody as investigations continue to uncover other members of the criminal network.

In Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, troops of the 149 Battalion arrested two suspected suppliers of logistics to terrorist groups.

Items recovered from the suspects included cash, a Volkswagen Golf vehicle, construction materials, household supplies and other items believed to have been intended for insurgents.

The military said the suspects are being interrogated while investigations continue.

Meanwhile, troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade, working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, carried out a clearance operation around Wulgo, a known terrorist enclave.

During the operation, troops recovered a sack containing assorted illicit drugs abandoned by fleeing insurgents, further demonstrating the sustained military pressure on terrorist groups operating within the theatre.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations across the northeast, stressing that ongoing intelligence-driven missions and coordinated ground operations would continue to dismantle terrorist networks and improve security in the region.

Zulum launches farming season, unveils ₦500m support for farmers

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Wednesday flagged off the 2026 wet farming season, distributing free agricultural inputs to 120,000 farmers and launching a ₦500 million cash support programme for vulnerable residents across five local government areas.

The governor also launched the sale and distribution of 200 truckloads of NPK and urea fertilisers at a 50 per cent subsidy, describing the intervention as part of the state’s strategy to boost food production, improve livelihoods and strengthen food security.

Speaking at the launch held at Kwaya Kusar Main Stadium, Zulum said the initiative was designed to support farmers throughout the agricultural value chain while creating jobs and improving the socio-economic well-being of residents.

He said the free farm inputs include agrochemicals, certified improved seeds, knapsack sprayers, water pumps, bicycles and post-harvest storage facilities to enhance productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

According to the governor, the government will also distribute 40,000 litres of agrochemicals, 5,000 water pumps, 5,000 knapsack sprayers and 10,000 bicycles to rural farmers across the state.

He noted that the procurement of 200 truckloads of high-quality fertiliser represents a significant increase over the 75 truckloads distributed during the previous farming season.

“Our administration has expanded agricultural support to ensure farmers receive assistance from land preparation to harvesting, storage, processing and access to markets,” Zulum said.

He explained that the programme also covers mechanisation services, irrigation development, agricultural extension services, harvesting support, agro-processing facilities and financing opportunities, particularly for women and young people engaged in farming.

The governor said Kwaya Kusar was selected for the state-wide launch because of its strategic position as one of Borno’s leading agricultural belts with significant production potential in the North-East.

Zulum warned beneficiaries against diverting or selling the subsidised fertiliser, insisting that the inputs must be used strictly for crop cultivation.

“These fertilisers are meant solely for agricultural production. They should not be resold, diverted or hoarded. Every beneficiary has a duty to ensure they are used for the purpose they were provided,” he said.

The governor also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the federal government’s continued support to states, saying the assistance had enabled sub-national governments to implement programmes aimed at improving the welfare of their citizens.

In addition to the agricultural intervention, Zulum announced the disbursement of ₦500 million in cash support to vulnerable persons, women and youths in Biu, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar, Shani and Bayo local government areas to strengthen household livelihoods and stimulate economic activities in the affected communities.

The governor said the combined interventions underscore his administration’s commitment to expanding agricultural production, tackling poverty and improving food and nutrition security across Borno State.