Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday, paid a working visit to Diffa Region in the Niger Republic to strengthen collaboration in the fight against insurgency along the Nigeria–Niger border.
Zulum, who led a high-level security and economic delegation, held discussions on joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and sustaining progress made in clearing insurgents from parts of the Lake Chad basin.
Diffa, located about 17 kilometres from Damasak in northern Borno, currently hosts thousands of Nigerians displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The governor was received by the Governor of Diffa, Brig.-Gen. Mahamaduo Bagadoma and other senior officials. Both leaders later held closed-door talks on enhancing cross-border security and stabilising communities affected by insurgency.
Speaking after the meeting, Zulum said the improved security situation would be leveraged to facilitate the return of displaced farmers to their lands around Dutchi town in the Lake Chad basin.
He expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between Nigerian and Nigerien forces would help end cross-border insecurity and promote socio-economic recovery in affected areas.
Bagadoma commended Zulum for the visit and reaffirmed Niger’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at restoring peace.
