National
Zulum Meets Muslim, Christian Leaders in Borno, Urges Unity Amid Lingering Insecurity
By: Adamu Aliyu Ngulde
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Monday held a high-level dialogue with leaders of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), stressing the need for religious tolerance and collective action as the state continues to confront the humanitarian and security fallout of a 15-year insurgency.
The meeting at the Government House in Maiduguri focused on strengthening cooperation between the state government and major religious bodies in efforts to counter extremist narratives, rebuild trust and reinforce community resilience.
Governor Zulum, in an address to the faith leaders, warned against attempts to frame the Boko Haram conflict as a religious war, calling such narratives “false, dangerous, and alien to the history of Borno.”
“Boko Haram is not a religious crisis. It is an assault on our civilisation and humanity,” Zulum said, noting that both Muslims and Christians have suffered mass casualties, displacement and the destruction of places of worship. “Suffering knows no sect; therefore, our solidarity must know no bounds.”
He added that the majority of victims of the insurgency remain Muslims, but insisted that the tragedy “binds all communities in a common grief that demands a united response.”
Zulum said the government’s reconstruction and resettlement programme is guided by “justice, equity and inclusivity,” revealing that 45 Christian worship centres destroyed during the insurgency have so far been rebuilt under the state’s reconstruction initiative.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting religious freedoms and ensuring citizens can worship “without fear or hindrance,” while urging clerics to promote messages of unity from both the Minbar and the pulpit.
The governor also appealed to the international community to expand partnership with Borno in addressing root causes of extremism, including poverty, hunger and illiteracy, and to support ongoing military operations.
Representatives of the two religious bodies welcomed the initiative.
Mal. Sa’adu Ngamdu, speaking on behalf of JNI, commended Zulum’s “proactive leadership” and pledged the Islamic organisation’s continued cooperation to sustain peace across the state.
Most Rev. John Bogna Bakeni, CAN Chairman in Borno and Auxiliary Bishop of Maiduguri Catholic Diocese, echoed the call for local ownership of peace building efforts.
“Nobody can solve our problem from outside. We are the ones that can solve our problem,” he said. He urged political leaders to uphold justice “devoid of religious, ethnic or political considerations,” arguing that fairness from leadership would strengthen trust and promote peaceful coexistence.
