Professor Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, has urged the military to conduct vigorous offensive operations in the Lake Chad islands, also referred to as the Tumbus, in order to drive out insurgents from their strongholds.
Zulum made the plea Friday during a courtesy visit to the Council Chamber of the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri, where he hosted a high-level Federal Government delegation headed by the Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of State for Defense, the Chief of Defense Staff, and other military leaders.
The governor called for a special military operation to be conducted in the Tumbus, describing the area as crucial insurgent regrouping and activity-sustaining havens.
He said: “These islands serve as breeding grounds for insurgents who depend on the area for sustenance. It is imperative to consider launching coordinated operations to flush them out.”
He added that there is a good chance that terrorist groups from the North West, North Central, and North East will turn back to the Tumbus for their livelihood.
Citing the vulnerability of Nigeria’s borders and the infiltration of armed groups and weapons through the region, he urged the Federal Government to strengthen border security and surveillance, especially in the Sahel.
He said: “If the Sahel is not secured, the entire country remains vulnerable. There is a pressing need to fortify the Sahel region to end insecurity.”
Zulum also advocated for continued and persistent military operations to prevent the reoccupation of previously reclaimed territory, as well as the deployment of additional troops to areas such as the Timbuktu Triangle and the Mandara Mountains.
The governor said: “There should be forces that will keep the ground, otherwise they will come back. What brought about the recent situation is we felt everything is OK, but they are regrouping now and I believe the Nigerian military will not allow them regroup.”
The governor also requested the deployment of additional military personnel and equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), to improve surveillance and fortify vulnerable areas.
Zulum acknowledged the operational burden currently placed on the military across the country and called for the deployment of more trained personnel and logistics to the Northeast.
Over 300,000 repentant insurgents and their families have surrendered over the last three years, demonstrating the effectiveness of non-kinetic measures, he added.
Zulum did, however, commend the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu, the chief of defense staff, and service chiefs for their steadfast backing.
During his speech, Defense Minister Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar gave the Governor the assurance that the Federal Government would supply the manpower and equipment required to fight insurgency and make it easier for impacted communities to relocate.
He said: “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.”
He praised Governor Zulum’s efforts to support agricultural and other livelihood projects and resettle internally displaced people.
Senior military personnel, Principal Staff Officers, outgoing and incoming Theatre Commanders of Operation Hadin Kai, representatives of the Service Chiefs, Chief of Defense Staff General Christopher Musa, and Minister of State for Defense Dr. Bello Mohammed Mutawalle were all with the minister.
