Zulum Moves to Strengthen Security, Revive Trade Along Maiduguri–Mafa–Dikwa–Ngala Highway
By: Zagazola Makama
Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno has pledged additional logistical and welfare support to security forces to strengthen security along the Maiduguri–Mafa–Dikwa–Ngala highway and revive commercial activities along the strategic economic corridor.
Zulum gave the assurance on Friday during a visit to the headquarters of the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa Local Government Area, where he met with the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Aminu Gumel.
The governor said the visit was aimed at exploring measures to improve security along the highway, which connects Maiduguri with several communities in eastern Borno and serves as a critical route for trade, transportation and cross-border commercial activities.
“My visit is primarily aimed at exploring measures to strengthen security along this strategic economic corridor, which connects Maiduguri to several communities in eastern Borno and serves as a vital route for trade, transportation and cross-border commercial activities,” he said.
He explained that the highway remained important to the economic recovery of communities affected by years of insurgency, particularly through the movement of agricultural produce, essential commodities and other goods.
According to him, restoring confidence in the security of the route will enable residents to travel safely, access markets, engage in commercial activities and rebuild their livelihoods.
Zulum also addressed troops preparing for deployment to Maiwa and Koshebe villages, assuring them of his administration's continued support for military operations.
He pledged to provide operational logistics and sustain welfare assistance to personnel, while announcing a cash support of N50,000 for each soldier preparing for deployment to the two communities.
The governor said his administration would continue to complement the efforts of security agencies through the provision of necessary support to strengthen operations and facilitate the safe return of displaced residents to their ancestral communities.
The state government has consistently provided logistics and welfare assistance to security forces as part of broader efforts to restore peace, stabilise communities and accelerate post-insurgency recovery across Borno.
Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the member representing Monguno/Nganzai/Marte Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba; member representing Dikwa Constituency in the Borno House of Assembly, Mohammed Zakariya; Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar; and Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele.
Other senior government officials also accompanied the governor on the visit.
