Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has called for an aggressive military offensive to clear insurgents from the Lake Chad islands, known as the Tumbus, which he described as critical strongholds for terrorist activities.
Governor Zulum made the appeal on Friday during a courtesy visit by a high-level Federal Government delegation, led by the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and other military leaders at the Council Chamber of the Borno State Government House, Maiduguri.
“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,” Zulum stated.
The governor warned that terrorist elements displaced from the North West, North Central, and North East regions are regrouping in the Tumbus, threatening renewed instability. He urged the Federal Government to intensify surveillance and strengthen border security, particularly across the vulnerable Sahel corridor.
“If the Sahel is not secured, the entire country remains vulnerable,” Zulum cautioned. “There is a pressing need to fortify the Sahel region to end insecurity.”
Governor Zulum also advocated for the increased deployment of troops to strategic locations such as the Timbuktu Triangle and the Mandara Mountains, along with sustained military operations to prevent insurgents from reclaiming previously liberated areas.
“There should be forces that will keep the ground; otherwise, they will come back,” he warned, urging continuous presence to consolidate military gains.
To strengthen counter-insurgency efforts, Zulum requested the deployment of additional Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and more trained personnel to bolster surveillance and defense in vulnerable regions.
While acknowledging the military’s heavy operational demands nationwide, Zulum highlighted the need for enhanced logistical and manpower support in the North East. He also praised the impact of non-kinetic strategies, revealing that over 300,000 repentant insurgents and their families have surrendered in the past three years.
The governor commended the Federal Government, President Bola Tinubu, and military leadership for their continued support.
In his remarks, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru assured Governor Zulum of the government’s commitment to equipping the military with the manpower and hardware necessary to combat insurgency and facilitate the resettlement of displaced 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,” Badaru said.
He also praised Governor Zulum’s leadership in resettling internally displaced persons and advancing agricultural and livelihood initiatives across the state.
The delegation included Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Mutawalle; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; representatives of the Service Chiefs; outgoing and incoming Theatre Commanders of Operation Hadin Kai, and other senior military officers.
