President Bola Tinubu has assured Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum that the nation’s security apparatus will take necessary measures to secure the release of children abducted from Lassa and Mussa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area and other parts of Borno State.
Professor Zulum disclosed this to State House Correspondents after meeting with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, where he raised concerns over recent attacks on communities and the continued captivity of abducted children.
The Governor said the President’s assurances followed his briefing on the security challenges facing Lassa, Mussa, and other vulnerable communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area and across the state.
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“The President has given me assurances that the Nigerian Army, the office of the Director-General of the DSS, as well as the Office of the National Security Adviser, will take necessary measures to ensure these abducted children are rescued,” the Governor stated.
Speaking on the general security situation in Borno, Governor Zulum said the state has seen significant improvements over the past six months, with sustained efforts to restore and strengthen security in previously vulnerable locations. According to him, the state government has facilitated the resettlement of more than two million internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities over the past seven years, while efforts are ongoing to restore the remaining settlements.
He identified Kareto, a strategic community situated between Damasak and Gubio, as one of the locations requiring urgent attention following recurring security threats along the approximately 100-kilometre corridor.
Governor Zulum expressed optimism that the establishment of a military formation in Kareto would significantly strengthen security operations and address persistent attacks along the route.
He further disclosed plans to reopen the Maiduguri–Damboa–Biu road, which has remained a major concern for residents forced to travel through Gombe to access Biu and surrounding communities.
The Governor explained that the alternative route requires residents to travel between 600 and 700 kilometres, compared with approximately 200 kilometres through the direct road, thereby increasing transportation costs and travel time.
He revealed that the Chief of Army Staff had taken steps towards training about 1,000 forest guards, who are expected to be deployed between November and December to reinforce security operations and facilitate the reopening of the strategic road.
Governor Zulum also disclosed plans to re-establish Sabon Gari community as part of measures to consolidate security gains and restore socioeconomic activities in previously affected areas.
He expressed confidence that renewed security interventions would extend to fragile communities in Chibok and Askira/Uba Local Government Areas, particularly locations affected by recent attacks.
On oil exploration in the North-East, Governor Zulum announced that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had communicated plans to resume exploration activities in Borno State and other parts of the region.
He explained that exploration activities had been suspended for about one to two years owing to logistical challenges, but disclosed that the company’s Frontier Exploration Services had formally notified affected state governments of its intention to resume operations.
“We have received information from the Frontier Exploration Division of the NNPCL that they will very soon come and resume oil exploration in the northeastern states, especially Borno State,” he stated.
Governor Zulum confirmed that he had personally received official correspondence on the planned resumption, expressing optimism that exploration activities would recommence in the state soon.
