Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has placed a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in Maiduguri and nearby areas.
The governor also accused both current and former members of the military and other security forces for encouraging crime and immoral behavior in the state.
Governor Zulum spoke at the launch of a new committee tasked with shutting down illegal hotels, brothels, and criminal hideouts
He said some security personnel, both active and dismissed, have been involved in activities that promote terrorism, prostitution, and drug abuse among civilians.
Zulum stressed that there should be no exceptions when dealing with those responsible, regardless of their background or rank, if the state truly wants to end insecurity and criminality.
“I am happy to know that army officers are here, especially the military, police, and others are here because most of these activities were committed by whom?
“Some of them are dismissed army officers, dismissed security officers, current army officers, men and officers, including civilians.
“So, there should be no sacred cow in this matter if we want the Maiduguri metropolis and indeed the state to get rid of insurgency, terrorism and other sorts of criminalities,” Zulum said.
The governor gave the committee full backing to tackle rising issues like cultism, violent clashes, drug use, and theft, which he linked to increased access to alcohol and criminal hangouts.
Zulum also enlisted the support of various security agencies, including the military, police, civil defence, and the Civilian JTF, to help clean up Maiduguri and its surroundings.
While the move targets restoring order, questions remain about how the ban and planned demolitions may affect the state’s economy, especially as Borno leaders continue to push for a tax reform bill at the national level.
KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Babaganda Zulum previously ordered the demolition of brothels and criminal den notorious for prostitution, gangsterism, and other illicit activities in Borno.