Gov Zulum announces N50,000 support for soldiers deployed to Borno communities

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a financial support of ₦50,000 for each soldier preparing for deployment to Maiwa and Koshebe communities in the state.

The support is aimed at soldiers heading to the two communities as part of efforts to strengthen security and protect residents.

Koshebe has suffered deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the past. On November 28, 2020, armed militants attacked rice farmers working on farmlands in the area near Zabarmari and Maiduguri, killing more than 100 people.

Many of the victims were seasonal farm workers who had travelled from Sokoto State in north-western Nigeria to participate in the rice harvest. The attackers reportedly rounded them up, tied them and slit their throats.

Similarly, in November 2023, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked rice farmers harvesting their crops around Karkut and Koshebe in Mafa Local Government Area, killing at least 13 people, while several others were reported missing.

But Zulum assured that he will provide the needed support to strengthen security along the Maiduguri–Mafa–Dikwa–Ngala highway, ensure safe travel, and revive trade in communities recovering from years of insurgency.

The Governor gave the assurance on Friday during a visit to the headquarters of the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa Local Government Area where he met with the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Aminu Gumel.

“My visit is primarily aimed at exploring measures to strengthen security along the strategic economic corridor, which connects Maiduguri to several communities in eastern Borno and serves as a vital route for trade, transportation and cross-border commercial activities,” Zulum said.

The highway links communities along the corridor to markets and facilitates the movement of agricultural produce, essential commodities and other goods.

Zulum said improving security along the route would help residents travel safely, trade and rebuild their livelihoods.

Addressing troops preparing for deployment to Maiwa and Koshebe villages, the governor pledged “to provide operational logistics and sustain welfare support. He announced ₦50,000 support to each soldier preparing for deployment to the two communities”.

Governor Zulum’s administration has consistently supported military operations with logistics and welfare assistance as part of efforts to improve security and help displaced residents return to their communities.

The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the member representing Monguno/Nganzai/Marte Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba; member representing Dikwa Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mohammed Zakariya; Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar; Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; and other senior government officials.

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