Tinubu Assures Zulum Of Action To Rescue Abducted Borno Children

President Bola  Tinubu has assured Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum that security agencies will take necessary measures to secure the release of children abducted from Lassa and Mussa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area and other parts of the state.

Zulum disclosed this on Friday after meeting with the President at the State House, Abuja, where he briefed him on recent attacks on communities and the continued captivity of the abducted children.

The governor said Tinubu assured him that the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser would take necessary steps to rescue the victims.

“The President has given me assurances that the Nigerian Army, the office of the Director-General of the DSS, as well as the Office of the National Security Adviser, will take necessary measures to ensure these abducted children are rescued,” Zulum said.

On the general security situation in Borno, the governor said the state had recorded significant improvements over the past six months, with efforts ongoing to restore displaced communities and strengthen security in vulnerable areas.

He said the state government had facilitated the return of more than two million internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities over the past seven years, while work continued to restore remaining settlements.

Zulum, however, identified Kareto, a strategic community between Damasak and Gubio, as requiring urgent security intervention because of recurring threats along the approximately 100-kilometre corridor.

He expressed optimism that the establishment of a military formation in Kareto would strengthen security operations and help address attacks along the route.

The governor also disclosed plans to reopen the Maiduguri–Damboa–Biu road, which has remained a major concern for residents travelling to Biu and neighbouring communities.

According to him, the alternative route through Gombe requires travellers to cover between 600 and 700 kilometres, compared with approximately 200 kilometres along the direct road.

Zulum said the Chief of Army Staff had taken steps towards training about 1,000 forest guards expected to be deployed between November and December to reinforce security operations and facilitate the reopening of the road.

He added that the state government was working to re-establish Sabon Gari community as part of efforts to consolidate security gains and restore economic activities in affected areas.

The governor expressed confidence that renewed security interventions would also extend to vulnerable communities in Chibok and Askira/Uba local government areas affected by recent attacks.

On oil exploration, Zulum said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had communicated its intention to resume exploration activities in Borno and other parts of the North-East.

He explained that exploration activities had been suspended for about one to two years because of logistical challenges, adding that the company’s Frontier Exploration Services had formally notified affected state governments of plans to recommence operations.

“We have received information from the Frontier Exploration Division of the NNPCL that they will very soon come and resume oil exploration in the northeastern states, especially Borno State,” he said.

Zulum said he had personally received official correspondence on the planned resumption, expressing optimism that exploration activities would recommence in the state soon.