Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has sounded a fresh warning over the resurgence of Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad’s Tumbus region and the Mandara Hills within the Sambisa Forest, urging for continuous and reinforced military operations in these areas.
Speaking in Maiduguri on Friday during a visit by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, alongside Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa and other top-ranking military officials, Governor Zulum commended the military’s past efforts but warned that gains made are being reversed due to lapses in sustained presence.
“We conduct military operations and disengage. Once we withdraw, Boko Haram and ISWAP elements return to reclaim those territories,” the governor lamented.
He highlighted the persistent threat posed by insurgents breeding freely in the Tumbus waters of Lake Chad, a zone he described as an ungoverned space that continues to serve as a hub for terrorist funding and survival.
“There has never been a comprehensive military operation along the Tumbus shoreline in Lake Chad since the beginning of the insurgency,” Zulum noted. “This area remains a fertile breeding ground for terrorists due to access to livelihoods and mobility.”
He called for strategic intervention to ensure permanent military presence and control of the region, warning that without securing the Sahel corridor and Lake Chad basin, Nigeria’s broader security will remain fragile.
The governor identified manpower shortage as a critical barrier in securing border regions and high-risk zones like the Timbuktu Triangle, Mandara Hills, and Tumbus. He urged the Defence Ministry to consider deploying more trained personnel and sophisticated military assets to the region.
“There’s a stark difference between bandits and the Boko Haram-ISWAP network. The latter are internationally backed terrorists exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders. We must respond accordingly—with enhanced manpower and continuous operations,” Zulum emphasized.
He also requested the deployment of modern military equipment, including MRAPs, tracked tanks, attack helicopters, and advanced drones, stressing the importance of air support and surveillance in confronting evolving threats.
Zulum disclosed that the latest ISWAP attack in Wulgo involved armed drones targeting the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), calling for the immediate acquisition of anti-drone technology to counter such advanced threats.
While advocating kinetic measures, he also stressed the importance of non-kinetic approaches, revealing that over 300,000 repentant Boko Haram members had surrendered in the last three years—many of whom are civilians rather than fighters.
“We need a balanced strategy—force where necessary, and rehabilitation where possible. That’s how we’ll sustainably end this crisis,” Zulum said, expressing optimism about ongoing efforts and pledging continued support to the military.
In response, Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to bolstering military capacity in the region.
“We are here to assess the situation and identify what the Armed Forces require—both in personnel and equipment—to address the resurgence of insecurity in Borno and the North-east,” the Minister said.
He assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Defence Ministry to provide all necessary support to restore peace and stability in the region, acknowledging the relative calm previously achieved through the combined efforts of the state government and security forces.
“Our presence here is to listen, collaborate, and act. We believe your insights will help sharpen our strategies to tackle this emerging threat decisively,” he added. (PRNigeria)
