The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has reassured residents and Nigerians that the worst of the Boko Haram insurgency is over, despite the recent surge in banditry and terrorism attacks recorded nationwide.

Zulum stated this during a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Shuaibu Waidi, in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Zulum, who reflected on the state’s past experiences, said that the current security landscape, though marred by recent setbacks, shows significant improvement compared to the peak of the crisis.

He called on the people to continue giving their full cooperation and support to the military and other security agencies, emphasising that the war against terrorism requires a collective effort.

“We have witnessed a series of attacks on our communities and security forces, but the worst is over; we shall continue to collaborate and provide the needed intelligence to our security forces to bring this madness to an end,” Zulum said.

He added, “The frequency and scale of attacks on our communities then were overwhelming. Today, while we grieve any single setback, we can also see that the worst is indeed behind us. The trajectory is towards peace, and we are committed to sustaining it.”

Governor Zulum commiserated with the Nigerian Army and the families of slain soldiers who lost their lives during the recent tactical setbacks, while simultaneously praising the bravery and sacrifices of the officers and soldiers, calling them heroes.

“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I reiterate that we stand with the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces. We will not take their sacrifice for granted,” he said.

The Army Chief assured Zulum of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to providing necessary logistics to the troops and commended the governor for his support.

“I want to sincerely, on behalf of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army, extend our appreciation to His Excellency for visiting us at a time like this. We appreciate your support in Borno. We have confidence in our society here, and from Army headquarters, we will provide all necessary resources to ensure they achieve their mission.”