Governor Zulum Bans Petrol Sales in Bama to Curb Insurgent Activities

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has ordered an immediate and sweeping ban on the sale of petrol in Bama Local Government Area, including Bama town and the border community of Banki. The directive, announced on Saturday, aims to disrupt the supply chain to insurgents operating within the region and reinforce ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.

The decision follows high-level consultations with security agencies and is part of a broader strategy to curtail the mobility and operations of non-state armed groups. The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Malam Dauda Iliya, conveyed the order in a statement issued from Maiduguri.

“I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area,” Governor Zulum said, emphasizing that the ban takes effect immediately.

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This development underscores the state’s intensified crackdown on the logistical networks that sustain insurgent activities. Bama, a strategic town previously held by Boko Haram, has long remained a focal point in the insurgency and counterinsurgency campaigns. By cutting off access to fuel — a critical resource for insurgent mobility — the state government aims to diminish the operational capacity of hostile actors in the area.

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Governor Zulum issued a stern warning to anyone who might consider violating the new directive, stressing that enforcement would be uncompromising. “Let me make it clear, there will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of this ban,” he declared.

Security agencies have reportedly received strict orders to identify and penalize individuals or businesses found distributing or selling petrol in defiance of the ban. “Anyone found culpable will be dealt with accordingly,” the governor asserted.

The fuel restriction policy is the latest in a series of proactive security initiatives implemented by Zulum’s administration. Since taking office, the governor has launched a range of interventions — including curfews, checkpoints, and surveillance — to break the logistical and communication networks of insurgent groups.

Residents have been urged to support the government’s efforts by complying with the directive and cooperating with law enforcement authorities. Zulum reassured the people of Bama that the ban was a necessary step toward achieving sustainable peace in the region.

“Our commitment remains steadfast in restoring lasting peace to Borno State. These difficult but necessary measures are aimed at securing our people and accelerating recovery in liberated communities,” Zulum stated.

The fuel sale ban is expected to be closely monitored and strictly enforced, with security operatives on high alert for violations. As the insurgency evolves, so too do the strategies employed by state authorities to reclaim stability and foster development in conflict-ridden zones.