By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has marked the 2026 Democracy Day celebration with the donation of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and other operational logistics to the Nigerian Army, while also providing relief materials and cash assistance to 2,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri.
The governor presented the armoured vehicles to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on June 12, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen military operations against insurgency in the North-East.
In addition to the MRAP vehicles, Zulum donated operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles to support troops deployed in difficult and inaccessible terrains.
The equipment is expected to enhance troop mobility and protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambush attacks, which remain major threats in the counter-insurgency campaign.
Speaking during the presentation, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies in their efforts to restore lasting peace and stability across the state.
As part of activities marking Democracy Day, Zulum also visited the Madinatu Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Maiduguri, where he distributed food items, non-food materials and cash support to thousands of displaced residents.
The intervention forms part of the state’s broader resettlement programme, through which more than two million displaced persons have reportedly been voluntarily returned and reintegrated into their ancestral communities over the past seven years.
Addressing beneficiaries at the camp, the governor described the occasion as symbolic, noting that democracy should bring tangible improvements to the lives of citizens, particularly vulnerable populations affected by conflict.
“It gladdens my heart today, June 12, 2026, to celebrate Democracy Day here at Madinatu Camp through the distribution of food and non-food items.
“By the grace of God, this camp will be closed this year. This may be our last or second-to-last distribution exercise in this camp,” Zulum said.
The governor directed that the Madinatu camp be shut down within one month as part of the next phase of the state’s resettlement initiative.
He also expressed optimism that other camps across the state’s local government areas would be gradually closed as security and livelihood conditions improve.
According to him, prolonged habitation in displacement camps cannot serve as a sustainable solution to the humanitarian crisis caused by insurgency.
“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of the people. Living in camps is not a permanent solution.
“Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with adequate security and sustainable means of livelihood,” he stated.
As part of the relief package, Governor Zulum approved a cash grant of N50,000 for each of the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.
Every beneficiary also received a 25-kilogram bag of rice and a 25-kilogram bag of sorghum, while female beneficiaries were provided with wrappers.
The Democracy Day interventions underscore the Borno State Government’s dual strategy of strengthening security operations while accelerating humanitarian support and resettlement efforts for communities affected by insurgency.
