Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the military to launch a robust offensive in the Lake Chad Basin and its environs, known as the Tumbus, to dislodge Boko Haram insurgents from their strongholds.
Governor Zulum made this call on Friday while hosting the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; the Minister of State for Defence; the Chief of Defence Staff; and other top military officers at the Government House in Maiduguri.
According to him, the Tumbus are critical safe havens where Boko Haram insurgents regroup and sustain their operations. The governor stressed the need for a special military operation in the area.
“These islands serve as breeding grounds for insurgents who rely on the area for sustenance. It is crucial to consider launching coordinated operations to flush them out,” Governor Zulum stated.
He further cautioned that terrorist elements from the North West, North Central, and North East are likely retreating to the Tumbus for their survival.
The governor implored the Federal Government to bolster surveillance and border security, particularly in the Sahel region, highlighting the porous nature of Nigeria’s borders and the infiltration of armed groups and weapons through the area.
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“If the Sahel is not secured, the entire country remains vulnerable. There is an urgent need to fortify the Sahel region to end insecurity,” the governor added.
Governor Zulum also advocated for increased troop deployment to areas such as the Timbuktu Triangle and the Mandara Mountains, as well as sustained military operations to prevent the re-occupation of previously liberated territories.
“There should be forces that will hold the ground; otherwise, they will return. The recent situation arose because we assumed everything was fine, but they are now regrouping, and I believe the Nigerian military will not allow them to do so,” he asserted.
Furthermore, the governor requested the deployment of more military hardware, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and additional personnel to enhance surveillance and strengthen vulnerable zones.
Acknowledging the military’s current operational commitments across the nation, Governor Zulum called for the deployment of more trained personnel and logistics to the North East.
He also highlighted the success of non-kinetic measures, revealing that over 300,000 repentant insurgents and their families have surrendered in the past three years.
Governor Zulum commended the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Service Chiefs for their unwavering support.
In his response, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, assured the governor of the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the necessary personnel and equipment to combat insurgency and facilitate the resettlement of affected communities.
“The President has directed that we provide the military with all necessary manpower and equipment to halt the recent resurgence of insecurity in Borno and the North East,” the minister affirmed.
He lauded Governor Zulum’s efforts in resettling internally displaced persons and supporting agricultural and other livelihood initiatives.
The minister’s delegation included the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Mutawalle; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; representatives of the Service Chiefs; the outgoing and incoming Theatre Commanders of Operation Hadin Kai; as well as Principal Staff Officers and senior military personnel.
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