The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — As Muslims  worldwide mark Eid al-Adha on Friday, June 6, 2025, Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has renewed his commitment to make significant personal and governmental sacrifices to ensure enduring peace across the  state.

The governor emphasized his  administration’s unwavering commitment to bolstering security in newly resettled local government areas and deepening collaboration with federal authorities and security forces.

In a Sallah message disseminated through his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum urged citizens within and beyond Borno to dedicate prayers and thoughts to the military, Civilian JTF, hunters, and vigilantes actively engaged on the frontlines, whose sacrifices are pivotal to the region’s stability.

“I extend my warm felicitations to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, a festival of sacrifice,” Governor Zulum stated, drawing parallels to the profound obedience of Prophet Abraham. “Let us embody the virtues of patience, charity, and obedience to Almighty Allah. We must also keep our brave troops and volunteer forces in our prayers, as their sacrifices enable us to live in peace.”

The governor highlighted recent visits to critical areas such as Marte, Rann, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa, Kukawa, and Monguno as evidence of ongoing efforts to foster community resilience—a strategy he believes is essential to defeating the insurgency. “On my part, I will continue to make extra sacrifices and invest hugely in the security sector to achieve sustainable peace,” he affirmed.

Governor Zulum also extended congratulations to Borno’s pilgrims currently performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, appealing to them to pray for the state, the wider North East region, and Nigeria as a whole.

“Prayer is the key to our success,” he noted, referencing a recent call for a special day of prayer and fasting that garnered widespread support. “This demonstrates our collective resolve to end this conflict.”

Governor Zulum concluded by reassuring the public that his administration would remain relentless in its pursuit of restoring complete security throughout Borno State.