Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, says Boko Haram informants and their sympathisers will be tracked and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He gave the warning in a state-wide broadcast on Thursday.
The Governor attributed the spike of terrorist attacks to the direct consequence of the sustained and aggressive military operations across the region.
Zulum said, “To those who feed them (terrorists) with information, shelter them and their sympathisers, and provide logistical support, your time is up.
“You are not patriots; you are enemies of the state. You will be hunted down and made to face the full wrath of the law. Your actions betray our collective peace, and we will no longer tolerate them,” he said.
He expressed deep concern over the recent resurgence of insecurity in parts of the state in the past few weeks.
Zulum added, “As the Chief Security Officer, let me assure you that the overall security environment, while tested, remains under control, and we are doing everything possible to protect lives and property.
“Over the past seven years, we have worked tirelessly to restore peace and prosperity to the great land and rebuild our state. Within the period, we have responded with prompt, positive actions on every occasion.
“We have not allowed the dark dreams of the wayward ones to take root, and instead, we have fostered hope and resilience among the communities affected by the conflict.
“Through a combination of consultations and collective planning, with the strong support of our security agencies and the civilian JTF, the Almighty Allah (SWT) has helped us achieve some measure of success and peace.
“We do not believe that the decrease in past attacks signals the end of the insurgency. No, it is not. In fact, at the leadership level, we are very conscious of the fact that much more needs to be done to permanently address the root of this madness and the menace of illogical attacks among our peace-loving people.”
The Governor further stated, “I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of our gallant soldiers, security personnel and our volunteer forces who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
“My heart also goes out to every civilian whose life has been disrupted by this situation. Your resilience is the bedrock of our state, and the power of prayer in unison is a weapon no enemy can withstand.”
He also pledged loyalty to Vice President Kashim Shettima, saying he has accorded due respect to the nation’s number two man.
The Governor also spoke briefly about his successor, emphasising that tension is bound to rise as we approach 2027.
He made it clear that it is God who gives power, appealing to the people to pray to God for a worthy successor.
Zulum stated, “I also wish to extend my appreciation to the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who represented the President for the sympathy visit over the recent unfortunate incident.
“My dear people, as the political season intensifies, tensions may rise. But we must align our political interests with the stark realities of our security situation, including ongoing threats from insurgent groups and the need for community stability. Let us not allow politics to undermine the hard-earned peace we have built. I therefore call on all aspirants and their supporters to prioritise the greater interests of Borno State above their personal ambitions.
“Since assuming office in 2019, I have been fair, just, and inclusive in my dealings with the entire political class. My loyalty to His Excellency, the Vice President, need not be overemphasised.
“Furthermore, as a leader, I have embraced all and sundry. I have never betrayed the trust of members of the national and state assemblies, as well as political office holders of Borno extraction, at the state or national level.
“Therefore, I want to call on all political actors to be wary of elements seeking to exploit the current situation to create unnecessary political instability.
“As we look to the future and choose a new leader for our state, I urge all citizens to pray fervently for a worthy successor. Let me remind us that power belongs to Allah and He grants it to whom He wills.”
