Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed the immediate removal of all Village and Ward Heads in Mallam-Fatori and ordered that the process for appointing new representatives to serve the returning population begin without delay.
The Governor made the pronouncement on Monday during a working visit to the border community, where he assessed the condition of public facilities and engaged directly with residents on their immediate needs.
The directive came amid renewed government efforts to rebuild Mallam-Fatori, a community heavily affected by years of insurgency and displacement.
The Governor expressed concern over the absence of Village and Ward Heads during his visit, describing it as unacceptable at a time when residents are returning, and communities are beginning the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.
According to him, “Traditional leaders have a critical role to play in stabilising communities emerging from conflict. Their presence is essential not only for maintaining communication between government and residents but also for strengthening community resilience and providing leadership as returnees settle into their ancestral homes.”
The Governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele, to work closely with His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, to commence the process of appointing new Village and Ward Heads for Mallam-Fatori without delay.
Babagana Zulum emphasised that the new appointees must be persons of proven integrity, competence, commitment, and ingenuity capable of understanding the realities confronting residents and working with government and security agencies to restore stability and development.
Furthermore, the Governor pledged the accelerated reconstruction of critical public infrastructure in Mallam-Fatori, headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area, as part of efforts to support residents returning to communities liberated from insurgency.
He inspected destroyed schools, government buildings, and housing facilities across the town.
Mallam-Fatori, a war-ravaged border town, remains one of the communities hardest hit by years of insurgency, with dilapidated buildings, abandoned facilities, and damaged public infrastructure standing as visible reminders of a community whose development was interrupted by conflict.
At the end of the inspection, Babagana Zulum directed the immediate construction of an Islamiyya (Islamic) school, primary and secondary schools, as well as a hospital, to restore essential services and improve access to education and healthcare for residents.
“Provision of basic amenities is critical to enabling returnees to rebuild their lives, restore livelihoods, and give their children a stronger foundation for the future,” Babagana Zulum said.
The Governor also met with residents, as the engagement gave residents an opportunity to speak directly with government officials about the challenges confronting them and the support required to fully restore normal life.
At the headquarters of the 68 Battalion Nigerian Army, in Mallam-Fatori, Governor Zulum met with the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel D. Y. Chuwar, along with senior officers and troops deployed to the area.
He commended their courage, resilience, and commitment to maintaining security and facilitating the return of civilian life, and assured them of his administration’s continued support, particularly in providing essential needs to enhance their operational effectiveness.
The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; the member representing Abadam Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Jamna Bong; the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar; the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele; the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe; and other government officials.
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