Bama Massacre: Governor Zulum Calls for Forest Guards to Assist Military Following Death of 63 Civilians

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for the urgent deployment of trained Forest Guards to support the military in protecting vulnerable communities, following a deadly Boko Haram attack that left 63 people dead in Darajamal, Bama Local Government Area.

During a condolence visit to the community on Saturday, Governor Zulum described the attack—which claimed the lives of 58 civilians and five soldiers—as a heartbreaking tragedy. “We are here to commiserate with the people of Darajamal over what happened last night that has claimed the lives of many people. It is very sad,” he told journalists.

The governor explained that Darajamal had only recently been resettled, and residents had begun rebuilding their lives before the insurgents struck.

Zulum emphasized that the current number of military personnel is insufficient to provide adequate security coverage across the state, especially in rural and forested areas prone to insurgent activities.

“We must understand that the number of military personnel is not sufficient to provide security in all areas,” he said. “So far, two sets of Forest Guards have been trained. One of the immediate solutions we must implement is to deploy these trained Forest Guards to most of the vulnerable locations. They will help protect both the forests and nearby communities.”

The governor’s call highlights ongoing concerns about gaps in security infrastructure across the Northeast, despite military efforts to contain insurgency in the region.