- Governor Zulum expressed concern over IDPs’ threats to join terrorists due to hardship, warning of no second chances
- Despite spending over N40bn on food aid, Zulum emphasized the limits of government assistance, urging IDPs to reconsider their choices
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum stated on Sunday that he has done his best to assist internally displaced persons and vulnerable residents who are threatening to join terrorists in the forests.
Earlier this week, some IDPs lamented the widespread hardship in the land and expressed interest in joining the sect wooing them.
However, while addressing some IDPS in Mafa on Sunday, Zulum expressed his displeasure with the action, warning those who intend to return to the forest that there will be no second chance.
“Yesterday, I received a report that some IDPs in Dikwa have protested that they will return to the bush because we could not provide food to them. Others in Mafa have also done the same this afternoon,” Zulum said.
“In the last few years, we have consistently provided food to internally displaced and vulnerable people. Believe me, what we are doing is even beyond our capacity. In the last four years, the Government of Borno State spent nothing less than N40bn to provide food and non-food items to the people of the State.”
“No government, be it state or federal, can provide food to everyone and let me categorically state that I cannot do more than this. The hardship we face is not only in Borno State but all over Nigeria. There are economic crises in all parts of the world. No state in Nigeria is doing better in distributing palliative than Borno.
“We distributed food to IDPs and vulnerable communities every quarter. However, with the improvement in the security situation, we decided to reduce the number of our distribution because people have started earning their livelihood.
“Most of you here (more than 80%) now have access to agricultural land, and I believe you have cultivated your farmlands and harvested your farm products.
“Both State and Federal governments spend huge amounts of money on security. We have realised substantial progress in terms of development and security. Let me be frank with you: We will not condone mischievous activities. You can go if you think life in the bush is better than living here.”
The Governor expressed gratitude to the federal government for providing support to attain substantial peace in Borno State.
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