Borno Governor Calls for Coordinated Military Offensive Against Insurgent Strongholds in Lake Chad
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday urged a joint military operation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force to target insurgent bases in the Lake Chad region.
Governor Zulum made the call while receiving the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Government House in Maiduguri. He identified the Tumbus islands as a critical safe haven for Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, emphasizing that a comprehensive operation there is vital for lasting security.
“I want to bring to your kind notice that a thorough military operation, involving the Navy, Air Force, and Army, purposely intended to rid the Tumbus, has never been conducted,” Zulum said. He stressed that addressing the Lake Chad region is central to curbing terrorism, adding, “If we want to bring down insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, we must address the challenges we are facing in the Lake Chad. The area has provided a safe haven for terrorists; this is our major problem now.”
The Governor also highlighted other insurgent enclaves, including the Sambisa Game Reserve and Mandara Hills, calling for coordinated operations to tackle these strongholds.
Zulum further recommended leveraging technology to improve counter-insurgency efforts, requesting that the Nigerian Air Force deploy more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the region. He also proposed a strategic Command and Control meeting in Maiduguri to enhance military coordination.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, Governor Zulum called for additional funding to equip the armed forces with modern hardware necessary for effective operations.
In response, Air Marshal Aneke lauded the Governor’s leadership, particularly his community-based reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives, which focus on reintegration, local ownership, and restoring livelihoods in conflict-affected areas.
“The ‘Borno Model’ exemplifies how non-kinetic strategies can complement military efforts to achieve sustainable results,” Aneke said. He also acknowledged the Governor’s interventions that have strengthened the security posture of the Nigerian Air Force in Maiduguri, including land allocations and steady logistical support.
Since assuming office, Aneke said he has directed increased operational readiness, integration with ground forces, and intelligent application of airpower to support stabilization across the North-East, noting that these measures align with the state’s broader security and recovery strategies.
Borno Governor Calls for Coordinated Military Offensive Against Insurgent Strongholds in Lake Chad