President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, that the Federal Government will intensify efforts to rescue children abducted by terrorists in Askira-Uba Local Government Area and other parts of the state.

The President specifically assured the governor that the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) would take necessary measures to secure the release of the abducted children and address security challenges in vulnerable communities.

Zulum disclosed this to journalists at the State House, Abuja, on Friday after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, saying he briefed the President on the security situation in Borno and ongoing efforts to resettle displaced communities.

The governor said he raised concerns over recent terrorist attacks in Askira-Uba, particularly the abduction of children in Lassa, Mussa and neighbouring communities, stressing the need for stronger security interventions.

According to him, the President responded positively to his concerns and gave assurances that relevant security and intelligence agencies would intensify operations to rescue the victims.

Zulum said security conditions across Borno had improved considerably over the past six months, enabling the state government to accelerate the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities.

He disclosed that more than two million displaced residents had been resettled over the past seven years, while efforts were underway to secure and reopen other communities previously abandoned because of insurgency.

“Borno State, in terms of security, we are getting better. For the last six months, things have started taking a very good shape”, the governor said.

He added that the state government was working with military authorities to facilitate the resettlement of Kareto, a strategic community along the Gubio–Damasak highway, which has remained vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Zulum explained that the location of Kareto between Gubio and Damasak made it strategically important to security operations along the approximately 100-kilometre corridor.

He said the Chief of Army Staff had given approval for measures aimed at restoring security in the area, including the establishment of a military formation to strengthen surveillance and prevent further attacks.

According to the governor, a permanent military presence in Kareto would significantly improve security along the route and facilitate the resettlement of displaced residents.

He also announced plans to reopen the Maiduguri–Damboa–Biu road, which has remained largely inaccessible because of insecurity, forcing motorists to undertake lengthy journeys through neighbouring Gombe State.

Zulum lamented that residents travelling between Maiduguri and Biu currently cover approximately 600 to 700 kilometres through alternative routes, instead of the roughly 200-kilometre direct journey.

He disclosed that arrangements were being made to train and deploy about 1,000 forest guards to support military operations and strengthen security along the corridor.

The governor expressed optimism that the security personnel would be deployed by November or December, paving the way for the reopening of the road.

He said plans were also underway to restore Sabon Gari community as part of measures to strengthen security and encourage residents to return to their homes.

On the economic front, Zulum disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had indicated readiness to resume oil exploration activities in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.

He said the Frontier Exploration Services division of NNPCL had formally communicated the development to affected state governments, raising hopes that exploration activities suspended because of logistical challenges would soon resume.

According to him, the company had written to the state government indicating that preparations were underway to restart exploration operations after a suspension lasting between one and two years.

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

He expressed confidence that the renewed exploration activities, alongside improving security and ongoing reconstruction efforts, would support the state’s recovery from years of insurgency. (The Nation)