Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday held a high-level consultative meeting with leaders of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Government House, Maiduguri, with a focus on strengthening collaboration to promote peace and tackle insecurity in the state.
Addressing the religious leaders, Zulum stressed the vital role clerics play in fostering tolerance, unity and social cohesion. He highlighted Borno’s unique interwoven family structure, where people of different faiths live and relate as one community.
“It is common to find under one roof relatives who profess different faiths. We share meals, celebrate milestones and grieve together. This is our strength, and we must protect it,” the governor said.
Zulum cautioned against attempts to frame the Boko Haram insurgency as a religious conflict, insisting that the violence has targeted both Muslims and Christians.
“Religious conflict is alien to us. Boko Haram is not a religious crisis; it is an assault on our civilisation and humanity. The perpetrators have destroyed mosques and churches with equal impunity,” he stated. He added that available data shows that the majority of victims of killings, abductions and displacement are Muslims, stressing that “suffering knows no sect, and our solidarity must know no bounds.”
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to justice, equity and inclusivity in reconstruction and resettlement efforts. He disclosed that the state government has rebuilt 45 Christian worship centres destroyed during the insurgency.
Zulum assured all residents of their safety and right to worship without fear and urged religious leaders to consistently preach peace, unity and tolerance. He also appealed to the international community for support in addressing root causes of insurgency, including poverty, illiteracy and hunger, and in strengthening military capabilities.
Responding, the State Director of Administration of JNI, represented by Malam Sa’adu Ngamdu, commended Zulum’s proactive leadership and pledged the Islamic body’s readiness to work with government and other faith groups to sustain peace.
Similarly, the Chairman of CAN in Borno State and Auxiliary Bishop of the Maiduguri Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. John Bogna Bakeni, emphasized that Nigeria’s challenges must be solved internally.
“Nobody can solve our problem from outside. If we take what the governor has said and implement it justly, we will have a peaceful society,” he said. He urged religious and political leaders to uphold justice without bias, saying doing so would strengthen trust and peaceful coexistence.
