Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has issued a sweeping ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages across the state, citing a surge in criminal and antisocial activities allegedly aided by some members of the military and other security outfits.
The governor made the announcement during a public engagement in Maiduguri, where he expressed deep concern over what he described as the growing influence of substance abuse and vice-related behavior within the state capital and surrounding areas.
Zulum, a professor and known advocate of moral discipline and post-insurgency recovery, accused certain security personnel of not only failing to curb criminality but also enabling it through their involvement in activities that undermine public safety and social order.
“It is disturbing that while we are rebuilding lives and communities devastated by over a decade of insurgency, some security personnel have become complicit in promoting vices, including aiding the sale and consumption of alcohol and drugs,” he said.
He noted that the consumption of alcohol and related substances had led to increased incidents of theft, domestic violence, and unruly behavior among youths in Maiduguri, especially in areas meant to be safe zones for displaced persons and returnees.
The ban, which takes immediate effect, is part of a broader effort to restore moral order and enhance the post-conflict healing process in the North-East state. Governor Zulum called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to support the enforcement of the directive and help steer the state away from moral decay.
The government also warned business owners and shop operators against flouting the new order, stressing that law enforcement agencies would be mobilized to ensure strict compliance, regardless of status or affiliation.
While the move has been praised by conservative and religious groups within the state, civil liberty advocates have raised concerns over the blanket nature of the ban and the implications for personal freedoms and the rule of law.
This development adds to Zulum’s tough governance stance, as he continues to push reforms aimed at stabilizing Borno and restoring public confidence in both civilian and security institutions amid lingering security challenges.
