Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has delivered a scathing rebuke to Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, branding him “naive” in the wake of a deadly Boko Haram attack that claimed eight lives on the Damboa-Maiduguri road.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday, saw an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Boko Haram insurgents rip through a civilian convoy, killing eight people instantly, leaving seven severely injured, and 14 others with minor wounds. The gruesome explosion was yet another grim reminder of the persistent threat of insurgency in Borno State, despite years of military operations.
Visibly angered by the Minister’s recent remarks about the security situation in the region, Governor Zulum minced no words during a press briefing at the scene.
“I believe the Minister of Information is naive about what is happening in this country. He doesn’t know what is ongoing,” Zulum declared, lambasting what he described as a detached and out-of-touch narrative being pushed from Abuja.
He went further to challenge the Minister’s understanding of the gravity on the ground, urging federal officials to grasp the lived reality of communities terrorized by extremist violence.
“People travel almost 700 kilometers to access Damboa when the actual distance is just 100 kilometers from Maiduguri. This is unacceptable,” Zulum stated, calling for both community and military resilience in the face of unrelenting terrorist threats.
Refusing to be cowed by the attack, the Governor pledged unwavering commitment to securing the volatile route. “We shall ensure that travel from Maiduguri to Damboa continues. This incident will not stop us. We are working with the artillery and other security agencies to strengthen security on this axis so that such tragedies do not happen again.”
Governor Zulum also disclosed that he has been in contact with top military brass in Abuja—including the Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Staff—who assured him of their continued commitment to rooting out insurgency in the region.
“We are very encouraged by the swift response and promises from the Service Chiefs,” he noted.
Despite the harrowing circumstances, Zulum expressed optimism that the dark days of Boko Haram dominance will never return to Borno.
“Insha Allah, under my watch, Boko Haram will never regain the strength they once had. I want to assure the good people of Borno State that we will strengthen our local defences—including hunters and vigilantes—to counter these threats head-on.”
He reiterated his administration’s firm resolve to work hand in hand with the military and federal government to crush insecurity.
“We will meet the expectations of our people. We are determined to confront and eliminate these security threats once and for all,” the Governor concluded.
The Saturday blast sent shockwaves across the state. Confirmations of the attack flooded social media platforms. A Facebook user, Ibn Maigana, emotionally wrote:
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. The road to my hometown, Damboa, has been deadly for years. Today, eight innocent lives were lost to an IED planted by Boko Haram. This reinforces the urgent need for intensified security. May Allah rest their souls and protect the rest of us.”
Another user, @OffucialAzzaki, posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“A bomb blast has just occurred along Damboa road to Maiduguri. Sadly, 8 lives were lost, and several others have been taken to the hospital. Please pray for the victims.”
As the nation reels from yet another senseless act of terror, Governor Zulum’s biting remarks have sparked renewed debates on the federal government’s grasp of the security situation in Nigeria’s North-East. The message from Borno is clear: the fight against insurgency is far from over, and the cost of complacency is paid in blood.
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