Maiduguri – Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has donated two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and other critical logistics to troops of Operation Hadin Kai, while also announcing the closure of the Madinatu Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri within one month.
The governor made the announcement on Friday during activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration, which he observed alongside displaced persons at the Madinatu camp.
The two armoured MRAP vehicles handed over to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai are expected to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambush attacks. Additional logistics donated by the state government included operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles to support military operations in difficult terrains.
Speaking during the event, Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies in the fight against insurgency and restoring lasting peace across Borno State.
The governor also distributed food items, non-food materials, and cash assistance to 2,500 beneficiaries at the camp as part of Democracy Day celebrations.
According to him, the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to consolidate gains made in the state’s resettlement programme, which has seen more than two million displaced persons voluntarily returned to their ancestral communities over the past seven years.
“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate Democracy Day here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp still existing within Maiduguri Metropolitan Council. By the grace of God, this camp will be closed this year. This will either be our last distribution exercise here or the second-to-last,” Zulum said.
The governor directed that the camp be shut down within one month, stating that his administration would continue implementing measures aimed at closing remaining IDP camps across the state.
“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people. Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood,” he added.
As part of the support package, each beneficiary received a 25-kilogram bag of rice and a 25-kilogram bag of sorghum, while women were also given wrappers. Zulum further approved a cash grant of N50,000 for each of the 2,500 beneficiaries.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including APC State Deputy Chairman Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff Dr. Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere Constituency in the Borno State House of Assembly Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners, commissioner-designates, and other dignitaries.
