AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY,
PROF. BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF BORNO STATE
Your Excellency,
I write to you with a deep sense of concern, pain, and urgency regarding the worsening security situation in Chibok and its surrounding communities, particularly among the Kibaku people.
First and foremost, I wish to acknowledge and commend your tireless efforts and commitment to restoring peace and stability in Borno State. Your leadership, courage, and compassion in the face of persistent insecurity have not gone unnoticed. Indeed, you have shown that governance, when driven by sincerity, can inspire hope even in the darkest times.
However, Your Excellency, the recent tragic attacks on communities such as Kautikari, Gatamwarwa and Kauthlama have once again shaken the foundations of our people. These senseless acts of violence claimed the lives of many innocent citizens, including brave vigilante leaders who paid the ultimate price in defense of their communities. These men were not only protectors but symbols of resilience and sacrifice.
Today, the people of Chibok and the entire Kibaku region are living in fear. Families have been displaced, homes abandoned, and livelihoods destroyed. Many have been left with no option but to flee for safety, seeking shelter and food under extremely difficult conditions. The psychological and humanitarian toll continues to grow by the day.
Your Excellency, while we recognize the efforts made so far, the current situation calls for more decisive and strengthened measures. The training of local youths in Chibok as part of community security efforts is a commendable step. However, training alone is not sufficient in the face of heavily armed insurgents. These youths must be adequately equipped and empowered to effectively support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in defending their communities.
We respectfully urge your administration to consider the following:
Strengthening local security architecture by properly equipping trained community volunteers to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Army.
Increasing the presence and rapid response capacity of security forces in vulnerable communities.
Providing immediate humanitarian support to displaced persons, including food, shelter, and medical care.
Enhancing intelligence gathering through collaboration with local communities who understand the terrain and threats.
Your Excellency, the people of Kibaku are resilient, but they cannot stand alone against such persistent threats. They need protection, reassurance, and decisive action from leadership.
We believe in your capacity and your willingness to do more. The lives of our people depend on swift and strategic interventions. Let the sacrifices of those who have fallen not be in vain, but rather serve as a call to reinforce our collective resolve to secure every corner of Borno State.
May God continue to guide and strengthen you as you lead our dear state through these challenging times.
Yours faithfully,
Ambassador of Peace & Comrade Gapani Yanga.
For the Concerned People of Kibaku.