Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has declared Monday a day of voluntary fasting and prayer for peace across the state.

The announcement was made during a statewide broadcast on Sunday in Maiduguri, the state capital.

“In light of our current security challenges, I am calling on all residents of Borno State to unite in a collective act of faith and solidarity,” Zulum said.

He invited residents to join him in a voluntary day of fasting and prayer for peace to prevail in Borno State, the Northeast region, and Nigeria as a whole.

Describing the initiative as both spiritual and communal, the governor said, “Fasting is more than a personal spiritual act; it is a communal expression of our shared hope. Through prayer and reflection, we can strengthen our unity, renew our resilience, and restore our collective purpose.”

While urging widespread participation in the fast, Governor Zulum reaffirmed the state government’s ongoing commitment to addressing insecurity through practical measures.

He highlighted collaborative efforts with federal authorities to enhance security operations and support frontline personnel.

“In recent months, I have held extensive consultations with our federal partners and the leadership of various security agencies. I am pleased to inform you that the collaboration between Borno State and the Federal Government is stronger than ever,” he said.

“Together, we are working on comprehensive strategies to strengthen our security architecture, enhance intelligence sharing, and equip our security agents.”

Zulum also reiterated the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s Service Chiefs in addressing security challenges in the state.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the Service Chiefs have assured us that they will do everything possible within their reach to bring an end to the current insecurity we are facing in the state,” he noted.

On local security efforts, the governor pledged to strengthen community-based networks including the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), local hunters, and vigilantes.

He issued a warning against collaboration with armed groups, stressing, “We shall bolster our community intelligence gathering and early warning systems. Let me warn against colluding with these armed groups, either individually or as a community. They are our collective enemy.”

Zulum also expressed condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces for the recent loss of personnel and offered prayers for the families of the fallen.