Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has revealed that a significant number of Boko Haram insurgents, who were recently dislodged from Chad, have relocated to Borno State in northeastern Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, Governor Zulum provided details about the movement of the insurgents, explaining that the relocation followed a major confrontation with Chadian soldiers. The attack on Chadian military personnel by Boko Haram prompted the Chadian authorities to take swift and decisive action to repel the insurgents from their territory.
Governor Zulum stated that while Chad successfully pushed the insurgents out of their borders, many of these militants managed to cross into Nigeria, with Borno State being a primary destination. “Recently, there was an attack on Chadian soldiers by Boko Haram. As a result, the Chadian authorities took a very strong decision to repel Boko Haram and other insurgents from their territory.
They succeeded in pushing them out, and most of them are now in Nigeria, especially in Borno State,” Governor Zulum explained. The governor’s statement sheds light on the ongoing cross-border movement of insurgents in the Lake Chad region and the complex nature of the regional security challenges.
While acknowledging the success of Chad in dislodging the insurgents, Governor Zulum also took the opportunity to commend the efforts of the Nigerian government, the military, and various security forces for their relentless work in combating Boko Haram and other criminal groups in Nigeria. He recognized the progress made in reducing the insurgency, particularly in Borno State, but also noted that challenges remain. “As of now, insurgency has been reduced to over 90% in Borno State, but this did not happen overnight. It has taken considerable effort and time,” Governor Zulum said.
The governor highlighted that while much of the insurgency has been curtailed, small pockets of Boko Haram fighters continue to operate in some areas of Borno State. These remaining groups are primarily concentrated in the fringes of Lake Chad, the dense Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara Hills, areas known for their difficult terrain and strategic importance to the insurgents. “We still have pockets of Boko Haram, especially in the fringes of Lake Chad, as well as in the Sambisa Games Reserve and the Mandara Hills,” Zulum added.
Despite these challenges, Governor Zulum expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. He is hopeful that, with continued collaboration between Nigeria and its neighboring countries—Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Mali—terrorism in the region can be completely eradicated within the next two years.
The governor emphasized that regional cooperation is key to the success of efforts to curb terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin area, where the insurgency has been most active. “I believe that with continued collaboration among the countries in this region, and with sustained efforts, we can completely crush terrorism in the next two years,” Zulum remarked.
Governor Zulum’s comments come at a critical time as the Nigerian government and regional partners work to strengthen military and intelligence cooperation to combat insurgency.
While significant progress has been made, particularly in reducing the influence of Boko Haram in the North-East, the ongoing presence of insurgent groups highlights the complexity of the security situation. The governor’s words serve as a reminder that the fight against Boko Haram and other militant groups is far from over, and that regional and international cooperation remains essential to ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.
