Borno Governor Babagana Zulum Bans Sale and Consumption of Alcohol to Curb Rising Crime
Maiduguri, May 6, 2025 – Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has imposed a comprehensive ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages across the state. The decision aims to tackle the surge in criminal activities linked to alcohol, including cultism, prostitution, drug abuse, thuggery, and theft, which have contributed to escalating insecurity in Maiduguri and its environs.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of a reconstituted committee tasked with eradicating illegal hotels, brothels, shanties, and other criminal hideouts that serve as hubs for antisocial vices. Governor Zulum emphasized that the ban is a necessary step to restore law and order in the state.
“Most of these criminal activities are perpetrated by individuals, including dismissed and serving members of the security forces,” Zulum stated. “No one is above the law if we are to rid Maiduguri and Borno State of insurgency, terrorism, and criminality.”
The governor co-opted the military, police, civil defence, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) into the committee to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to enforcing the ban and addressing insecurity.
This measure follows a recent spike in violence, including a bomb blast in Maiduguri that killed eight people and injured over twenty others. In response, Governor Zulum allocated N20 billion in the 2025 budget to enhance security operations, providing vehicles, motorcycles, surveillance equipment, and housing units to security personnel and CJTF members.
The ban also aligns with ongoing efforts to demolish illegal structures identified as safe havens for criminal elements. While the move is expected to improve security, questions remain about its impact on the state’s internal revenue, especially as Borno leaders continue to advocate for tax reforms at the national level.
Governor Zulum called on all stakeholders, including traditional rulers and federal agencies, to collaborate closely to ensure lasting peace and stability in the state.
