Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has announced an ambitious plan to resettle 5,000 displaced persons from five communities Goniri, Bula Kuriye, Mayanti, Abbaram, and Darajamal before the end of the rainy season to enable them to participate in agricultural activities.
The governor made this declaration during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Bama, His Royal Highness Dr. Umar ibn Kyari Umar ElKanemi, at his palace on Friday, emphasizing the critical need to transition internally displaced persons (IDPs) from camps back to their ancestral homes to restore livelihoods and food security.
Governor Zulum revealed that the construction of 1,000 transitional shelters has already commenced in Mayanti, Goniri, Bula Kuriye, and Abbaram, with Darajamal’s housing units fully completed.
He further directed the excavation of defensive trenches around the communities to enhance security against insurgent threats. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that these returning families engage in this year’s farming season,” Zulum stated. “Agriculture remains our most vital economic asset, and we must empower our people to reclaim their self-sufficiency.”
To reinforce safety in the resettlement zones, the governor disclosed that he had held strategic discussions with military commanders and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) leaders to bolster security frameworks.
He also highlighted specific measures taken in Nguro Soye, a farming community near Bama, where he recently visited a military outpost at Banki Junction to coordinate enhanced patrols. “We have provided necessary logistics to security operatives and approved six months’ allowances for CJTF volunteers to ensure farmers can cultivate their lands without fear,” Zulum assured.
The Shehu of Bama lauded the governor’s unwavering commitment to restoring normalcy in the region, expressing gratitude for the resettlement of Darajamal residents and the ongoing efforts to return more displaced families. He, however, appealed for additional support to CJTF personnel to safeguard agrarian activities during the rainy season.
This resettlement initiative aligns with Governor Zulum’s broader strategy to phase out IDP camps by facilitating dignified returns, revitalizing agriculture, and fortifying rural security key pillars in Borno’s post insurgency recovery. With the rainy season already underway, the timely execution of this plan could significantly boost food production and economic revival in the state.