Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum on Wednesday highlighted the connection between food insecurity and the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

Speaking in Monguno town during the distribution of food and items to vulnerable victims of the insurgency, Zulum expressed his concerns about the potential exacerbation of the conflict.

Zulum emphasized the necessity of providing aid to Internally Displaced Persons and vulnerable individuals, stating, “80% of those that were resettled back to their ancestral homes are farmers, and now they have no access to their farmlands. Hunger and poverty can make them join the terror group.”

Monguno Local Government Area, one of the most devastated by the insurgency, witnessed a distribution of non-food items to 55,000 women, with each woman receiving a sum of N5,000 and a wrapper.

The governor further announced the distribution of food items to 44,000 households, each receiving a 25kg bag of rice and a 10kg bag of beans.

The Governor commended the contributions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, VP Kashim Shattima, and the North East Development Commission for providing essential relief materials.

However, he pointed out the challenge of inadequate funding, stressing that the scale of those in need surpassed the state government’s current capacity.

He underscored the importance of rebuilding the confidence of people to stay in their ancestral homes, expressing concern that those facing food insecurity might turn to extremist groups for sustenance. “Food insecurity is the worst form of insecurity,” Governor Zulum asserted.

Despite receiving funding support from various entities, including the federal government, NEDC, Customs Service, and National Emergency Management Agency, Zulum emphasized the need for more funding to provide sustained relief to victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

He pledged to continue supporting IDPs and vulnerable individuals until complete resettlement is achieved, allowing them access to their farmlands.