In a bold and decisive move to tighten the noose around insurgents operating in Borno State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has ordered an immediate and total ban on the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, in Bama Local Government Area.
The directive, issued on Saturday, is aimed at cutting off vital fuel supplies to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, who continue to launch sporadic attacks across parts of the state despite sustained military operations.
Announced through a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Dauda Iliya, the ban covers Bama town, the strategic border town of Banki, and surrounding communities within the council area. Iliya described the measure as a “crucial pillar” of the state’s evolving counter-insurgency framework.
“I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area,” Governor Zulum declared, underscoring that the action follows a series of high-level security consultations.
“There will be no sacred cows. Security operatives have been fully empowered to crack down on any individual or petrol station found violating this directive,” the governor warned. “Anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.”
The ban is seen as a tactical blow to terrorist logistics, as insurgents have long relied on illicit fuel supplies to power motorbikes and vehicles used in deadly ambushes and raids. Bama, a once-notorious insurgent stronghold, has seen significant military gains, but insurgent networks still exploit remote terrain to stage attacks and transport supplies.
Security analysts have praised the ban as a strategic denial of a lifeline to extremists, noting that fuel smuggling has remained one of the most persistent logistical advantages for terrorist factions in the region.
Governor Zulum, renowned for his tough stance on security and hands-on leadership, reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to ending the insurgency and restoring lasting peace.
“We remain committed to ensuring the safety of our people and restoring normalcy across Borno State,” he affirmed. “But we need the cooperation of our citizens to succeed.”
This fuel ban adds to a string of aggressive and innovative security interventions under Zulum’s leadership, which has earned accolades both nationally and internationally for confronting terrorism head-on while spearheading reconstruction efforts in communities devastated by over a decade of conflict.
Observers say the success of this latest measure will depend on strict enforcement, community compliance, and continued synergy between the government, security forces, and residents.
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