By Abdulkareem Haruna

On Friday, May 23, a huge wave of Jubilation and relief swept through Maiduguri as Governor Babagana Zulum came back home. The courageous leader had been away for a whole week, traveling through very dangerous areas where Boko Haram is still active. His return, after spending seven days in places many wouldn’t dare to go, turned the city into a big, happy celebration.

While people in Maiduguri had spent the past week holding their breath and praying for their governor’s safety, Governor Zulum wasn’t just hiding. He was busy doing incredibly brave things to help his people and the soldiers fighting for Borno.

Without anyone telling them to, Maiduguri residents flooded the city’s main roads, singing heroic songs to greet their governor as his modest convoy drive through the city.


A Week of Bold Moves and Urgent Calls
The governor’s week-long trip showed how he leads: by getting right into the thick of things, even if it meant taking big risks. His media team said he made several stops in the jungles.

Governor Zulum went to Marte, a town that had been completely emptied after a Boko Haram attack. Before he got there, thousands of people had run away to Dikwa. The governor helped organize security and went to Marte to see the problems himself and find ways to make things stable again. He directly asked the Nigerian government for strong actions to stop Marte from falling to the attackers.

He said, “Marte was settled again about 4 years ago, but sadly, in the last three days, it was attacked and emptied out once more.” The governor worried that the 20,000 people who fled might be easily tricked into joining the bad guys. He added, “Thankfully, we came back to Marte yesterday and spent the night with help from the Nigerian Army and our volunteers. The community is now settled for the second time. But I’m asking the Nigerian government and Army to please do everything possible to keep this town safe.

Later, the governor expressed happiness that the government and military quickly sent more soldiers and equipment to Marte, saying, “I’m very happy to see that the town is fully back, and soldiers are there. Normal business has started again in Marte.”

Cheering Up Soldiers.                              Zulum spent a lot of time right on the front lines, especially near the

dangerous Lake Chad area. He talked directly with soldiers, telling them they were doing a great job and asking what they needed. He did all this even though there was always a risk of attack. These visits really helped lift the soldiers’ spirits.


Arriving in Rann, the headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government, on Sunday night, Zulum spent the night helping to organize support for soldiers and local helpers. This visit was part of his plan to bring people together, give them hope, and make them strong during the ongoing security problems. He had asked everyone in Borno to fast and pray on Monday for peace in the state and the whole country, and many people did. He thanked thousands in Borno and beyond who joined the prayers, showing how much he appreciated their Supports.

People close to the Borno State Government said main reason for Zulum’s trips was to see for himself how the security operations were working and how bad the problems were for people. This meant traveling through dangerous paths, often with only a small group of guards, to truly understand the challenges faced by both the soldiers and the people who had to leave their homes. His presence, often risking his own safety, sent a clear message to the attackers: he wouldn’t back down. To help even more, he approved 10 patrol vehicles – six pickup trucks for local youth volunteers and four gun-trucks for the military.



Building Back and New Hope
During his busy tour, where he visited 9 communities including Marte, Kala-Balge, Wulgo, Ngala, Lugumani, Gajibo, Koibe, Dikwa, and Ajiri, Governor Zulum also focused on making things stable for the long run.

In Dikwa, the governor started building a new 100-bed hospital and a market. These projects are part of the government’s plan to bring peace, improve healthcare, and boost business in areas hit hard by the violence. The hospital, once finished, will offer full medical services.


The governor promised again to help security forces bring lasting peace to Borno State. He said, “As Governor of Borno State, I will do everything I can to support our brave military in their efforts to bring lasting peace to our dear state.”

Governor Zulum’s bold expedition into the heart of the troubled areas of Borno shows again how he leads: by facing the state’s problems head-on. His actions in the jungles of northern and central Borno has further endeared him  to the heart of the people. That’s why his return was met with so much love from the people.