Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has banned the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages across the state, blaming serving and dismissed security personnel for fuelling criminality and social vices.
Zulum announced the ban on Tuesday in Maiduguri during the inauguration of a reconstituted committee to curb the menace of antisocial behaviour in the state.
He said the committee would be responsible for the demolition of illegal hotels, brothels, shanties and other criminal hideouts in Maiduguri and its environs.
The governor accused some members of the military, police and other security agencies—both serving and dismissed—of aiding criminal activities such as radicalism, prostitution, cultism and drug abuse.
“I am happy that army and police officers are here. Most of these activities are being carried out by dismissed officers, serving personnel, and some civilians,” Zulum said.
“There should be no sacred cow if we want Maiduguri and the entire state to be free from terrorism and all forms of criminality.”
He said the rising spate of youth violence, cult clashes, prostitution and drug abuse informed the decision to outlaw alcohol and shut down structures used for such acts.
The governor co-opted the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) into the committee for a coordinated response.
The committee co-chair said the team would begin immediate action to address internal security threats and eliminate identified hotspots for crime and antisocial behaviour.
Meanwhile, observers have raised concerns over the possible impact of the alcohol ban on internal revenue generation, particularly as the state pushes for reforms under the proposed tax reform bill before the National Assembly.
