Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State says his administration has spent about N100 billion to improve security situation across the state in 2025 alone.
This is as he also commended the security agencies and the communities for working hard to ensure the people are safe and secured in their respective communities.
Speaking when he visited the palace of His Highness, the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Mamza, to condole with him over recent attacks that claimed several lives, Governor Zulum said: “In this year, what I spent on security is about N100bn. If there is peace, why wouldn’t I use it to do some developmental projects?”
He said the visit was meant to assess the current security situation in the areas with a view to identifying ways of addressing security challenges in the Askira/Uba communities.
Lamenting how security threats have scared contractors and stalled the reconstruction of roads and other key infrastructure in the area, the governor praised the security agencies and the communities for the rescue of 12 abducted female farmers.
On education, Governor Zulum said his administration is committed to establishing a tertiary institution, computer center, JAMB center, hospital, roads and other infrastructure that would transform people’s lives in the area.
According to him: “My visit is to do a lot of work and most especially assess the security situation. I will meet with the security agents to make sure we have security in Askira/Uba.
“Security is important, without it there would be no peace. I have plans to construct roads but the problem is no contractor will want to come down here and work.
“That’s why I am establishing a quarry site in Gwoza and purchased 100 trucks so that our Road Maintenance Agency can construct roads.
“On higher institutions, I promised to build a higher institution before I leave office. I will also build a Computer Institute and JAMB center and a tertiary campus in Uba.
“We have many plans for education, health and more. The truth is that we are spending a lot on security and putting structures on the ground.”
Welcoming the August visitor, the Emir thanked the governor for sparing time to visit them during the trying moment.
While also commending Governor Zulum for his infrastructural development across the state, the Royal Father said, “You’ve done a lot for us in terms of many projects and you promised to do more. If not for your efforts, we would be suffering by now.
“If the constitution was amendable, we would have asked you to continue with the good works. May God bless you.”
Meanwhile, a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s official Facebook page, (@HQNigerianArmy) about the rescued victims said they were abducted on their family’s farmlands.
It said: “They were freed on Saturday, 29 November, following a swift, intelligence-led operation by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the southern Borno axis”.
The statement listed the rescued victims as: Fatima Shaibu (17), Fatima Umaru (15), Hauwa Abubakar (18), Saliha Muhammed (15), Sadiya Umaru (17), Amira Babel (15), Zara Adamu (17), Nana Shaibu (15), Zainab Musa (18), Zainab Muhammed (17), Jamila Saidu (15) and Hauwa Hamidu (17).
