Borno State Governor Accuses Military Officers, Politicians of Aiding Boko Haram
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has alleged that some military officers, politicians, and community members are acting as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram terrorists,Daily Trust reports.
In an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, Zulum pledged to take decisive action against those undermining his administration’s efforts to combat insurgency in the state.
“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian Armed Forces, among politicians, and within our communities,” the governor said. “Our response will be to significantly strengthen our intelligence network and deal with these saboteurs ruthlessly.”
Zulum emphasized that defeating terrorism requires more than military force alone. “We must go beyond kinetic solutions. Socio-political and economic strategies—what I call non-kinetic measures—are essential in addressing the root causes of insurgency,” he explained.
He also expressed concerns about individuals among the over 300,000 former insurgents who have surrendered, warning that some may relapse. “It’s possible a few may return to the bush. Insurgency cannot be defeated by corrective measures alone,” he noted.
The governor criticized the Nigerian military’s lack of adequate equipment, pointing out that insurgents often possess superior technology. “The army doesn’t have the necessary tools on the ground to effectively counter the insurgents,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Zulum commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for supporting peace-building initiatives in the region. “I appreciate the military’s contribution to our non-kinetic efforts,” he said.
He also urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize grassroots intelligence and professional military advice in addressing the insurgency. “We must avoid politicizing insecurity. The President needs to listen to those who understand the realities on the ground and can offer sound advice,” Zulum stated.
He concluded by announcing plans to immediately deploy a forest guard to further bolster security efforts.
