By Abdullahi Alhassan
Borno State, Nigeria- June 11, 2026 (Series News Online)–Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has fixed a one-month timeline for the closure of the Bama Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, Camp, describing it as the largest displacement camp in the state outside Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists after an on-site assessment of the Government Science Secondary School facility housing displaced persons in Bama.
The governor spent over three hours personally supervising the verification of displaced households to ensure only genuine beneficiaries were captured for resettlement.
“We are here to examine the remaining displaced people that are living in the IDP camp with a view to ensuring the closure of Bama IDP camp,” Mr. Zulum said.
He said the exercise aligns with his administration’s policy of facilitating the safe, voluntary and dignified return of displaced families to their communities after years of insurgency.
“The governor said the exercise forms part of the ongoing efforts to facilitate the safe and dignified return of displaced families to their ancestral communities following years of disruption caused by Boko Haram insurgency,” he stated.
Mr. Zulum noted that several communities in Bama Local Government Area, including Darajamal, Nguro Soye, Goniri, Banki and Abbaram, had been successfully resettled over the past seven years, even though Bama remains one of the worst-hit areas by insurgency.
The governor disclosed that screening of male household heads from affected communities had been concluded, while resettlement for the remaining communities was underway.
“We have three communities that are left to be resettled, namely, communities from Mayanti, Goniri, and Bula Kuriye. By the next one month, the Bama IDP camp, which is the largest camp in the state outside the state capital, will be closed,” he added.
Governor Zulum also inspected the ongoing construction of a modern shopping complex and the dualization of the Bama township road, which he described as central to his urban renewal agenda.
He commended the contractor handling the projects for maintaining quality standards.
“The governor commended the contractor for the quality of work, describing the project as a key component of the state government’s urban renewal programme,” he said.
Mr. Zulum recalled that Bama Market was razed by Boko Haram insurgents about 15 years ago but was later rebuilt under the administration of his predecessor, Vice President Kashim Shettima. He said his government was now constructing a new shopping mall with 156 shops and remodeling the entire market.
“We are trying to provide a befitting shopping mall in front of the market, totaling 156 shops, while also remodeling the market as part of our urban renewal programme,” he said.
According to him, the market upgrade is designed to expand economic opportunities, boost livelihoods and create a more conducive environment for traders.
“According to the governor, the market upgrade aims to expand economic opportunities for residents, improve livelihoods, and create a more conducive environment for traders and businesses to flourish,” he stated.
The governor further announced plans to decongest Bama through the dualization of major internal roads, especially the Maiduguri–Gwoza highway passing through the town, while other intra-town roads would be rehabilitated before the end of his tenure.
Governor Zulum also visited the teachers’ quarters and the High Islamic College in Konduga for inspection.
He was accompanied on the inspection tour by the acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Malumbe; Member representing Bama State Constituency, Hon. Baba Mala Sunoma; Permanent Secretary, Government House, Barr. Mustapha Ali Busuguma; elder statesman, Dr. Musa Inuwa Kubo; and other senior government officials.
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Infrastructure