Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has fired back at the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, following the latter’s alleged dismissal of rising security threats in the northeast.
Zulum recently raised alarms over increased Boko Haram and ISWAP activities in the region, stating that insurgents were regaining ground and staging attacks with minimal resistance.
He voiced his concerns during a security meeting in Maiduguri, warning that the situation required urgent attention and a coordinated response.
In a swift rebuttal, Idris, through his media aide Rabiu Ibrahim, denied ever downplaying the governor’s warnings.
The statement insisted that the Minister never uttered the controversial line, “Ignore Zulum, Boko Haram is not taking over Borno,” and described the reports carrying such quotes as misleading and aimed at creating public confusion.
Reacting further, Governor Zulum accused the Minister of being out of touch with the realities on the ground. “I believe he is naive about the true security situation,” Zulum told journalists.
He explained that his statement was intended to spur collaboration between the state and federal security agencies, not to incite panic.
Zulum said he had already met with Nigeria’s top military leadership, who assured him of renewed efforts to confront the threat.
He vowed that Boko Haram would not reclaim its past strongholds under his administration.
The governor emphasized Borno State’s continued partnership with the military and civilian security groups to restore peace.