Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has revealed that some individuals and groups, including civilians and military personnel, are profiting from the ongoing insurgency in the region.
Speaking as a guest on Channels TV on Sunday night, Zulum stated that these beneficiaries extend beyond Borno and are spread across the country.
He disclosed that informants within local communities and even military officers supplying ammunition to insurgents have been uncovered, complicating efforts to restore peace.
“Many times, informants were arrested within the community, and military personnel were caught trying to provide ammunition to the insurgents,” Zulum said.
The Governor also highlighted the role of porous borders, particularly around Lake Chad and the Sambisa forest, in creating safe havens for terrorists.
He noted foreign involvement as another factor fueling the prolonged crisis.
“Some people, across various strata, do not want to see the end of this crisis because they benefit from it,” Zulum remarked, emphasizing the complexity of resolving the insurgency due to these hidden interests.
Zulum’s candid revelations underscore the challenges facing counter-insurgency efforts in Borno, where both internal and external factors continue to fuel the decade-long conflict.