Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has publicly criticised the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, over comments perceived as downplaying the region’s persistent security threats following a deadly Boko Haram attack on the Damboa-Maiduguri Road.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, left seven severely injured, and 14 others with minor wounds. The explosion targeted a civilian convoy travelling along the key road linking Maiduguri, the state capital, to Damboa town.
Reacting to the incident, Governor Zulum condemned the minister’s earlier remarks that had suggested an improvement in security, saying they reflected a disconnect from the on-ground realities in the North-East.
“I believe the Minister of Information is naive about what is happening in the country. He doesn’t know what is ongoing in the country,” Zulum said during a press briefing at the site of the attack.
The governor described the attack as a stark reminder of the threat Boko Haram continues to pose to the lives of citizens in Borno State, despite ongoing military efforts. He called for resilience from the Nigerian Army and affected communities.
“I want to advise the communities to be resilient… There’s no way people will travel a distance of 700 kilometers just to get to Damboa. Normally, it is a 100-kilometer journey,” he stated.
Zulum assured residents that the government remains committed to keeping the Maiduguri-Damboa road open and safe, promising increased military presence along the route.
“This will not deter us… All security agencies will be mobilised to secure the road and prevent a repeat of this tragedy,” he added.
The governor revealed that he had recently held security meetings with top military leaders in Abuja — including the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff — who reassured him of ongoing operations to counter insurgent threats.
Despite the setback, Zulum expressed optimism that Borno State would not return to the peak of insecurity it once faced.
“Insha Allah, under my watch, Boko Haram will not have the capacity to do what they did before,” he declared, reaffirming his administration’s partnership with the federal government and armed forces.
The Maiduguri-Damboa route has long been a flashpoint for insurgent attacks, and Saturday’s bombing has reignited concerns about the pace and sustainability of security gains in the region.
