Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State has called for renewed and aggressive military offensive in Lake Chad islands to eliminate insurgents still harbouring there for a lasting solution to their terror activities.
Zulum made the appeal on Friday while receiving a high-level Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru who paid him a visit at Government House, Maiduguri.
The delegation also had the Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and other military chiefs during a courtesy visit at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri.
The governor described the Islands known as Tumbus as safe havens for insurgents and said they regroup and sustain their activities from there.
He said special operation is needed to contain them and ensure military dominance of the islands for lasting peace in the area known as a breeding ground for the terrorists.
“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,” Governor Zulum stated.
He further warned that terrorist elements from the North West, North Central and North East are likely falling back to the Tumbus for their means of livelihood.
He urged the Federal Government to enhance surveillance and border security, particularly in the Sahel region, citing the vulnerability of Nigeria’s borders and the infiltration of armed groups and weapons through the region.
“If the Sahel is not secured, the entire country remains vulnerable. There is a pressing 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, and for continuous and sustained military operations to prevent the reoccupation of previously reclaimed territories.
“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 okay, but they are regrouping now and I believe the Nigerian military will not allow them to regroup.”
The governor further requested the deployment of more military hardware including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and additional personnel to improve surveillance and fortify vulnerable zones.
While acknowledging the current operational burden on the military across the country, the Governor called for the deployment of more trained manpower 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 over the past three years.
Governor Zulum praised the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, and Service Chiefs for their unwavering support.
In his remarks, Minister of Defence, Badaru, assured the governor of the 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 said.
He commended Zulum’s efforts in resettling internally displaced persons and supporting agricultural and other livelihood initiatives.
