Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has prohibited the sale of liquor and alcoholic beverages, accusing military and other security personnel of fostering crime and antisocial behavior in Maiduguri and its surrounding areas.
During the inauguration of a reformed committee focused on “revocation of illegal hotels, brothels, shanties, criminal hideouts and curbing the menace of antisocial vices” at the Government House in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Governor Zulum stated that former and current members of Nigeria’s security forces have significantly influenced civilians towards criminality, radicalism, prostitution, and other vices, thereby increasing terrorism threats in the state.
“I am happy to know that army officers are here, especially the military, police and others are here because most of these activities were committed by who? Some of them are dismissed army officers, dismissed security officers, current army officers, men and officers including civilians,” Zulum said. “So, there should be no sacred cow in this matter if we want the Maiduguri metropolis and indeed the state to get rid of insurgency, terrorism and other sorts of criminalities.”
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At the brief event, Zulum reconstituted and empowered the committee to eliminate all forms of crime and antisocial behavior in Maiduguri and its environs.
The ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol, according to the Governor, is a response to increasing incidents of clashes between rival groups, cultism, prostitution, drug abuse, thuggery, and theft, which have resulted in fatalities and loss of property.
The governor included the military, police, civil defense, and various other security agencies, as well as the civilian JTF, in the committee to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, the Co-Chair of the reconstituted committee expressed concern over the worsening internal security in Maiduguri and outlined the committee’s immediate plan of action.
With the prohibition of liquor and the planned demolition of hotels and infrastructure believed to harbor criminal activities, it remains to be seen how this decision will affect the state’s internally generated revenue, especially amidst the ongoing debates surrounding the tax reform bill championed by Governor Zulum and other prominent leaders from the state at the national assembly.
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