Dauda Iliya
The recent resurgence of Boko Haram/ISWAP terror in Borno State and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s prompt response to it recreates the story of little, sling-swinging David tackling the mighty Goliath of Gath.
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Young David, powered by his faith in God and the divine course for which he existed; and smouldering with the passion to defeat the dreaded terrorist and the terror he had been unleashing on the people of Israel, squared up to the towering Goliath.
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David felled Goliath with the little weapon extraordinarily powered by the formidable forces of faith, determination and commitment to secure his people against the terror of Goliath.
Ditto, Zulum, who felt most-rudely startled by the resurgence of terror that is growing fast to a dreadful stature, reminiscent of its 2014-2018 peak, creating a concomitant global-scale humanitarian crisis.
He promptly resolved to tackle the resurgence with the sheer passion and determination to, at least, protect the victory he has achieved in assuaging the humanitarian crisis over the last six years, to the marvel and applause of the global community.
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Leaning on the huge successes achieved by the military in the restoration of security across the state and around the Lake Chad basin, which resulted in the marvelous liberation of all but three – Marte, Abadam and Guzamala – local government areas from the control of the terrorists, Zulum returned majority of all hitherto displaced communities to ancestral climes under a comprehensive programme of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement to facilitate the rapid rebooting and growth of economic activities.
He was determined never to let any terror resurgence drag bag the state and the resetting returnee communities to the dreadful depth of global-scale hopelessness and haplessness that characterized the 2013-2019 period.
Security is the duty and responsibility of the federal government; but his state and people are the ones suffering and dying for the lack of it. Therefore, while pleading passionately, almost tearfully, with the federal government and the military to please not allow the terrorists retake his state from him, he promptly swung to action, frontally tackling the gargantuan humanitarian crisis threats ignited by the resurgence before they actualize in an appalling state and rage that might take decades to subdue.
The Governor embarked on a daring, resilient and confidence building visit to nine different locations from 17th-23rd of May 2025.
For Zulum and every stakeholder in the security of Nigeria, it would be most-scary to witness any mass exodus of displaced communities, sacked once again by the resurgence, back to the already closed Maiduguri metropolis IDP camps, which were the most-nauseating features of the 2014-2024 terror-orchestrated humanitarian crisis.
In response to the series of resurging attacks, most-scarily between the end of April and the middle of May, most-especially around Marte, Damboa, Gajiram, Chibok and the Mandara Hills of Gwoza, Zulum hastened to Marte Local Government Area to assess the situation and provide support to the affected communities while deepening his pleas to the federal government and the military to hasten to his rescue before the terrorists retake Marte.
Before Marte, Governor Zulum stopped over in Dikwa town to meet with residents of Marte who fled the attacks to seek refuge. He sympathized with the affected population and assured them of his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in the state. He urged the people to remain vigilant and prayerful during these trying times.
Upon arrival in Marte town, the Governor inspected areas recently attacked and destroyed by insurgents.
The governor spent two nights in Marte for further assessments of the situation and to engage directly with the military. The Governor’s visit included strategic meetings with the military and other stakeholders aimed at enhancing security operations in the area.
Professor Zulum subsequently undertook a bold and courageous tour of areas in the central and northern regions of the state to bolster the resilience of communities affected by recent Boko Haram attacks.
Zulum, who was actively involved in coordinating security logistics till late in the night of the day he went to Marte, undertook a tour to assess the challenges faced in the returnee community, while also exploring sustainable solutions to foster stability.
Before Zulum’s arrival, Marte was completely deserted following a Boko Haram attack the previous week with thousands taking refuge in Dikwa town.
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Speaking to journalists a day after his arrival in Marte, the governor emphasised that his visit to the deserted town was to foster community cooperation, resilience and continuous support to the security agencies, stating “Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again.
“About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa; this huge number is a threat as allowing them to stay in the camp may make most of the younger ones become vulnerable to recruitment by the insurgents.”
“Hitherto, Marte Local Government comprises over 300 towns and villages, now we have only one standing, if we cannot maintain this one, then we will lose the whole Local Government to the insurgents, which will be very obnoxious, and I think we will not allow this to happen.
The governor reiterated his commitment to supporting security agencies in attaining lasting peace in Borno State, stating “on my part as the Governor of Borno State, I would do everything within my power to support our gallant military in their efforts towards lasting peace in our beloved state.”
After Marte, Zulum’s next port of call was Kala-Balge, another terrain troubled by the terror resurgence, where he spent a night, observing a fast and prayer for divine intervention in the resurgence.
At Kala-Balge, he approved 10 patrol vehicles and other logistics to military and local volunteers to help them tackle the terrorists.
Arriving Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area, before sunset on Sunday, Zulum spent the night coordinating support for security agencies and volunteer forces.
Zulum said his visit to Kala-Balge was part of his commitment to fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.
The Governor expressed appreciation to the people of Borno and those outside the state for heeding his call to observe fasting and prayers for the restoration of peace in Borno.
He said “let me express my appreciation to thousands of people in Borno that have observed today’s fasting and praying for peace to reign in our state. People from other states and even beyond Nigeria joined in seeking divine intervention for the security challenges we are facing. We thank everyone for the solidarity.”
The governor rounded off the visit in Kala-Balge by distributing food items to over 10,000 families, mostly women and their vulnerable family members.
Zulum’s high-risk visits to the terror-troubled communities signal a bold push to stabilise the region and prevent further territorial losses.
Residents have welcomed the governor’s presence, describing it as a morale boost and a rare gesture of leadership under fire.
Leaving Kala-Balge, Zulum returned to Marte to assess the militar’s response to his pleas. The visit was part of the ongoing efforts to restore peace, rebuild trust and foster sustainable development in the Lake Chad region.
“I am here to monitor the efficacy of our ‘re-resettlement’ of the residents we conducted a few days ago. I am very happy to note that the community is fully back, and soldiers are on ground. Normal economic activities have resumed in Marte,” Zulum said.
Governor Zulum has commended the federal government and the military for their prompt response to his call for the protection of Marte from falling to the insurgents.
“The federal government and the Nigerian Armed Forces have responded positively to our request to enhance security in the affected communities. We have seen many troops deployed and many pieces of equipment deployed.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces for the cooperation they have been giving us; without their support, we couldn’t have done much. I want, once again, to commend all stakeholders that have contributed to our search for peace and the restoration of normalcy.”
Zulum has for the past one month been coordinating security logistics and building resilience among residents affected by the recent surge in Boko Haram attacks.
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During his week-long tour, Zulum visited nine communities – Marte, Kala-Balge, Wulgo, Ngala, Lugumani, Gajibo, Koibe, Dikwa and Ajiri.
By ensuring that the military protect the frequently attacked communities from being retaken by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, and his enviable response to the terror-orchestrated humanitarian crisis, Zulum is felling terror, in the fashion of David felling Goliath.