Zulum Sets 2027 Deadline to Wrap Up Projects, Vows to End Security Gaps in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has declared that his administration will decisively address lingering security concerns and complete all ongoing capital projects across Borno State before leaving office in 2027.

The governor made this known on Thursday during the first 2026 meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) held at the Government House in Maiduguri, where he outlined his administration’s priorities for the coming year.

Zulum explained that several projects spanning healthcare, education, agriculture, and security sectors remain at different stages of completion across the Southern, Central, and Northern Senatorial Districts. He assured council members that the government would intensify efforts to ensure their delivery within the lifespan of his tenure.

According to him, 2026 will serve as a consolidation year, focused on strengthening the gains recorded in socio-economic development while ensuring that ongoing initiatives are brought to fruition.

“Though we have witnessed significant improvement in security across many communities, we will not relent in safeguarding every part of our state,” the governor said, stressing that no area would be left vulnerable.

Beyond infrastructure and security, Zulum reaffirmed his commitment to resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs), noting that his government would invest in sustainable, long-term solutions designed to endure beyond his administration.

He also underscored the importance of expanding social welfare programmes to cushion vulnerable citizens. Social protection, he said, remains a cornerstone of the rebuilding process in post-conflict Borno.

“We must continue providing essential services, but we must equally strengthen social protection mechanisms to secure the future of our people,” he stated.

The council meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, and Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, alongside commissioners and other senior government officials.

With a firm 2027 target in sight, the governor signalled a renewed push to solidify his administration’s legacy in security stabilisation, infrastructure delivery, and social welfare reform across Borno State.

N20.1m Insurance Payout: Borno Police Support Families of Fallen Officers

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The Nigeria Police Force in Borno State has disbursed over N20 million to families of officers who lost their lives in active service, reaffirming its commitment to personnel welfare.

Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, approved the payment of N20,137,770.34 to nine bereaved families under the Inspector General of Police’s Group Insurance Welfare Scheme.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, announced the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Maiduguri. He explained that the beneficiaries include next-of-kin and family members of officers who paid the supreme price while serving the nation with courage and dedication.

According to the statement, the insurance and welfare package is part of ongoing efforts by the police leadership to ensure that families of fallen officers receive financial support and stability in the aftermath of their loss.

Representing the Commissioner at the presentation ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Ibrahim Sumaila stressed that the well-being of officers and their loved ones remains a central priority of the Force. He described the insurance scheme as a reflection of the Inspector General’s compassion, transparency, and dedication to honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s peace and security.

Sumaila urged the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the funds, particularly in supporting their children’s education, healthcare needs, and overall family welfare.

He also applauded the Inspector General for sustaining the Group Life Assurance Scheme, noting that it serves as a critical safety net for families left behind by fallen heroes.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Modu Ishaku conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the police leadership for the timely intervention, pledging that the families would utilize the support responsibly.

IOM, Lake Chad Basin Commission Seal Pact to Deepen Peace, Recovery Efforts

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

In a renewed push to restore stability in the troubled Lake Chad region, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in peacebuilding, displacement management and long-term recovery.

The agreement was formalised in N’Djamena, bringing fresh momentum to joint efforts across countries affected by years of insurgencies and humanitarian crises, including Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

According to IOM, the new partnership provides a structured framework for both organisations to collaborate more closely under the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery and Resilience (RSSRR) for areas impacted by Boko Haram violence in the Lake Chad Basin.

Speaking of development, IOM Regional Director Sylvia Ekra described the MoU as a significant step toward promoting lasting peace, security and sustainable development in the region.

“The agreement will enhance coordinated actions aimed at achieving durable solutions for displaced persons, promoting socio-economic recovery, strengthening governance, and fostering regional cooperation,” she said.

Ekra acknowledged that while the Lake Chad Basin is frequently portrayed as a zone of conflict and mass displacement, it also holds enormous potential for cooperation and shared prosperity across West and Central Africa.

She noted that the renewed partnership would improve alignment between regional strategies and operational activities on the ground. By combining reliable data, political will and coordinated interventions, she said, both institutions aim to reinforce frameworks that promote stability, safe mobility, and long-term resilience.

The Lake Chad crisis remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. Years of violent conflict, compounded by climate change and environmental degradation, have forced millions from their homes. By December 2025, food shortages and shrinking livelihoods have left more than 6.4 million people displaced or otherwise affected.

Ekra stressed the need for sustained investment that combines humanitarian response, development planning, and peacebuilding initiatives to address urgent needs while laying the foundation for lasting solutions.

Under the agreement, IOM and LCBC will deepen cooperation at both strategic and operational levels. The collaboration will support evidence-based policymaking on human mobility, enhance cross-border coordination, assist in the implementation of territorial action plans, and promote climate-resilient economic initiatives across the basin.

In his remarks, LCBC Executive Secretary Ambassador Mamman Nuhu expressed appreciation to IOM for the strengthened partnership, noting that the collaboration would help tackle displacement challenges and improve the safety and security of lives and property throughout the region.

The new accord signals a shared determination by both organisations to transform the Lake Chad Basin from a symbol of crisis to a model of recovery, resilience, and regional solidarity.