Human Rights Lawyer Commends Gov. Zulum’ s Efforts in Combating Kidnapping and Banditry
From Lateef Taiwo

“I commend the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for his recent decisive measures to combat the spate of kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of insecurity that have plagued various parts of Borno State. In recent times, kidnapping and abduction have become worrisome in some parts of the state. Boko Haram is taking on a new dimension of kidnapping and demanding ransom”
He said that the intervention by the governor came on the heel of his post on the Facebook where he raised alarm on rising crime in some local government areas in the state on which he called on the government to curtail this menace.

“I posted on Facebook on August 4, 2025, in the Hausa language, concerning the rise of kidnapping in some local governments of Borno State. I called on the Borno State Government and the federal government to intervene quickly to curtail this menace by Boko Haram”

“To my great surprise, Governor Zulum has already taken a bold step. I was told that he even slept in the area where kidnapping has become rampant. I commend him for that and call on his counterparts in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto to emulate these measures.”

“In a commendable show of commitment to the safety and well-being of our people, the governor recently donated vital operational resources, including 30 motorcycles and 20 vehicles, to the Nigerian Army and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Mafa Local Government Area. Similar support was extended to other critical areas under attacks”
According to Hamza, the areas that have benefited from the intervention include

• Bama LGA – 30 motorcycles for daily routine operations
• Alo Dam Axis – 6 motorcycles
• Monguno Axis – 12 motorcycles
• Pulka in Gwoza LGA – 30 motorcycles
• Gwoza town – 30 motorcycles
• Liman Kara (bordering Madagali of Adamawa State) – motorcycles for border operations”

“These provisions will enhance mobility, surveillance, and rapid response in vulnerable areas, strengthening the fight against criminal elements along the Bama-Banki, Gambarun Ngala, Mafa, Baga, and other flashpoints. While this initiative is laudable, I urge His Excellency to sustain and expand these efforts relentlessly until peace and normalcy return to every part of Borno State”
He called on the federal form a synergy with the Borno state government to complement the the efforts by the Borno state government.
“I call on the federal government to provide immediate and robust logistical, technological, and workforce support to complement the state’s ongoing interventions. If this wave of banditry and kidnapping is not nipped in the bud, there is a real danger of it spilling over into other northern states, with grave and irreparable consequences for the region and the country at large. Security is the foundation of development”

He urged all the stakeholders – federal, state, local, and community leaders – to work in synergy to defeat this menace once and for all. People’s lives and well-being are essential, as guaranteed by Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”