Explosive: Governor Babagana Zulum Slams Information Minister as ‘Naive’ Over Boko Haram – Says Nigeria Is Being Lied To

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has ignited controversy with his latest remark, asserting that the Minister of Information is “naive” and “woefully disconnected” from the reality of the Boko Haram insurgency ravaging northeastern Nigeria. Speaking during a security stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri, Zulum boldly rejected recent federal claims that Boko Haram has been “technically defeated,” calling such statements a dangerous misrepresentation of facts on the ground.

According toGovernor Babagana Zulum, anyone who believes the crisis is under control is either uninformed or complicit in sustaining a false sense of national security. “While the Minister is safe in Abuja issuing press releases, our people are being slaughtered, our communities displaced, and our farmers unable to access their lands. This is not victory—it’s abandonment,” he stated.

Ground Realities in Borno: A Tale Far From Resolution

Governor Babagana Zulum emphasized the persistent attacks, ambushes, and kidnappings occurring daily across local governments in Borno. He pointed out that recent weeks have witnessed a spike in terrorist activities, particularly in Gwoza, Dikwa, and Kukawa, where several villages have been deserted due to renewed offensives by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.

He challenged the federal government’s metrics for security success, asking, “Is silence from the bush equivalent to peace? Or is it a media blackout that masks the horror?” Zulum’s remarks painted a grim picture of a state still grappling with a hydra-headed crisis, contrary to the polished narratives emerging from federal press briefings.

The Minister Under Fire: A Disconnect from the Battlefield

Zulum didn’t hold back in criticizing the Minister of Information, accusing him of shaping public opinion with second-hand data and misleading optimism. “The Minister’s confidence is built on PowerPoint presentations in air-conditioned rooms, not on the ground where bullets fly and people mourn,” he stated with visible frustration.

He questioned the integrity of reports being fed to the media and Nigerians at large, warning that miscommunication at the national level erodes public trust and emboldens terrorists. “When our leaders lie to the people, they insult the dead and betray the living,” Zulum lamented.

A Call for Accountability: Governor Babagana Zulum Urges Federal Reassessment

In a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babagana Zulum called for an independent security audit and a reassessment of the federal government’s counter-insurgency strategy. He urged the presidency to “cut through the bureaucracy and face the brutal truth” of the insurgency’s ongoing threat.

He proposed greater regional autonomy in security management, recommending that local intelligence units and state-funded defense initiatives be empowered to operate without interference from federal agencies more focused on narratives than results.

Humanitarian Consequences Ignored: Displacement and Despair

Governor Babagana Zulum warned that misleading information about the security situation has had dire consequences for humanitarian intervention and resettlement efforts. International donors, misled by reports of peace, have scaled down support, leaving thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) stranded in makeshift camps with dwindling resources.

He stressed that the manipulation of national discourse does not just distort history—it deprives vulnerable citizens of life-saving aid. “Our IDPs are not data points—they are humans who need food, shelter, dignity, and security. The Minister’s words have consequences,” he warned.

National Security or National Deception? Public Reacts to Governor Babagana Zulum’s Outburst

Zulum’s bombshell remarks have triggered intense public debate across social media and political circles. Many Nigerians have applauded his courage in confronting the federal establishment, hailing him as “the voice of the oppressed North-East.” Others, however, caution that such public discord could further fracture Nigeria’s delicate security architecture.
Nonetheless, Zulum remains unmoved.

“Truth must be spoken, even if it unsettles the corridors of power,” he concluded. As the nation grapples with rising insecurity and political gaslighting, the Borno Governor’s message reverberates far beyond Maiduguri—raising critical questions about who controls the national narrative and at what cost.