Governor ZULUM fires village and ward heads for being absent during his visit

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed the immediate removal of all Village and Ward Heads in Mallam-Fatori and ordered that the process for appointing new representatives to take their positions begin without delay. 

The Governor made this know on Monday, August 31, during a working visit to the border community, where he assessed the condition of public facilities and engaged directly with residents on their immediate needs. 

The directive came amid renewed government efforts to rebuild Mallam-Fatori, a community heavily affected by years of insurgency and displacement. 

The Governor expressed concern over the absence of Village and Ward Heads during his visit, describing it as unacceptable at a time when residents are returning, and communities are beginning the difficult task of rebuilding their lives. 

He said: “Traditional leaders have a critical role to play in stabilising communities emerging from conflict. Their presence is essential not only for maintaining communication between government and residents but also for strengthening community resilience and providing leadership as returnees settle into their ancestral homes.” 

The Governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele, to work closely with His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, to commence the process of appointing new Village and Ward Heads for Mallam-Fatori without delay. 

Babagana Zulum emphasized that the new appointees must be persons of proven integrity, competence, commitment, and ingenuity capable of understanding the realities confronting residents and working with government and security agencies to restore stability and development. 

Furthermore, the Governor pledged the accelerated reconstruction of critical public infrastructure in Mallam-Fatori, headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area, as part of efforts to support residents returning to communities liberated from insurgency.

He inspected destroyed schools, government buildings, and housing facilities across the town. 

Mallam-Fatori, a war-ravaged border town, remains one of the communities hardest hit by years of insurgency, with dilapidated buildings, abandoned facilities, and damaged public infrastructure left in the wake of attacks.