Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has urgently appealed to the Nigerian Armed Forces to launch an offensive against the terrorists’ strongholds in Tumbus, the Mandara Hills, and the Sambisa Game Reserve to “put an end to their madness.”
Mr Zulum made this plea during a visit from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, in Maiduguri.
The governor described the Tumbus Islands in Lake Chad as strongholds for Boko Haram and ISWAP, expressing concern over the military’s inability to eliminate the threat in the region.
“I would like to bring to your attention that a comprehensive military operation involving the Navy, Air Force, and Army, specifically aimed at clearing the Tumbus, has yet to be conducted.
“If we are to effectively combat insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, we must address the challenges we face in Lake Chad.
“This area has become a safe haven for terrorists, which is our principal issue at present.
“We still have two enclaves to contend with: the Sambisa Game Reserve and the Mandara Hills.
“We require a coordinated operation to tackle this menace in these regions,” he added.
Mr Zulum also urged the Nigerian Air Force to deploy more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the theatre to maximise effectiveness in the fight against insurgency.
The governor further suggested that military command and control structures hold a strategic meeting in Maiduguri to address the challenges of insecurity.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support to the military and called for additional funding to enable the acquisition of modern equipment necessary for counter-insurgency operations.
Earlier, Mr Aneke acknowledged the geostrategic significance of Borno to Nigeria’s overall security.
He stated that Borno’s borders and its location within the Lake Chad Basin make it a crucial strategic point in Nigeria’s efforts to secure the North-East and control cross-border activities.
The air chief noted that this is why the Nigerian Air Force considers the restoration of lasting peace in Borno to be both an operational and moral imperative.
He reported that he has already issued directives to enhance operational readiness, improve integration with ground forces, and apply airpower intelligently to support stabilisation efforts across the North-East.
