Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum stressed the need for a coordinated military operation targeting insurgent strongholds in the Lake Chad area—specifically Tumbus, the Mandara hills and the Sambisa Game Reserve. He made the remarks during a meeting with newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff Sunday Aneke at the Government House in Maiduguri, emphasizing that such an operation is crucial for improving security in the Northeast.
According to Governor Zulum, the Tumbus islands have become a safe haven for Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, and a comprehensive campaign involving the Navy, Air Force and Army has never been carried out there. He warned that if the challenges in the Lake Chad region are not addressed, the security situation in the Northeast will continue to deteriorate. In addition to Tumbus, he identified the Sambisa Game Reserve and the Mandara hills as other insurgent enclaves that require a joint operation, and recommended the deployment of more technology—particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—to support the military effort.
The governor also proposed a strategic meeting between the command and control structures of the military in Maiduguri to discuss the best approach to the situation. He commended President Bola Tinubu for his support to the armed forces and urged additional funding to equip troops with modern hardware, expressing confidence that, with commitment and dedication, the insurgency can be defeated.
Chief of the Air Staff Sunday Aneke acknowledged Governor Zulum’s community‑based reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives, which prioritize healing, reintegration and local ownership. The meeting comes amid an intensification of ISWAP attacks on military formations in the Northeast, including a recent ambush that killed several soldiers, among them a brigade commander. The terror group claimed responsibility and released photos confirming the incident. In response, the Nigerian military has heightened its focus on operational readiness and the intelligent application of airpower to support stabilization efforts in the region.
Comments are closed for this story.