Zulum Raises Fresh Security Alert Over Boko Haram

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has raised fresh alarm over the reorganisation of Boko Haram militants in the Tumbus regions of Lake Chad and the Mandara hills within the Sambisa forest.

Zulum made this statement in Maiduguri on Friday during a visit from the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officials.

While the governor recognised the military’s contributions to addressing the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno and the Northeast, he also pointed out a recent decline in their operational effectiveness.

“What we are facing now is that we do military exercises/operations, and after some time, we disengage. The Boko Haram and ISWAP members will again come and take over those areas that were hitherto regained,” Zulum said.

He explained that the Boko Haram terrorists are freely breeding in Tumbus water areas on Lake Chad without much effort by the military to dislodge them.

“There was never a time since the insurgency started that operations were conducted on the shores of the Tumbus in Lake Chad. And, it has been a breeding ground for the insurgents. They can get money, livelihoods, and everything in that water.

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“So there is a need for us to see how military operations should be conducted in the waterway because all the terrorists that are operating in the northwest, North Central, northeast will return to the Sahel and Tumbus in the Lake Chad for their livelihoods. This is something that needs to be done,” the Borno State Governor said.

Zulum stressed that among the problems faced in the state was a lack of alluded manpower covering the Timbuktu triangle, Tumbus, Mandara hills, and the porous Nigerian borders to Sahelian states.

“Manpower is very essential, while I was aware of the constraints of the Nigerian army, because right now you are everywhere in Nigeria. The Northeast, Northwest, and North Central, as well as southern Nigeria. I’m aware of your limitations.

“But still considering the northeastern region, the Nigerian army should look into the possibility of sending more trained manpower. There is a difference between Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits.

“ISWAP and Boko Haram are terrorists getting support internationally, and looking at our porous borders remain infiltrated through the Sahel, which is our major problem.

“If the Sahel is not secured, Nigeria will never be secured. So there is a need for us to fortify the security situation in the Sahel with a view to ending the crisis in the entire nation.

“So we need manpower, and in terms of military operations, the operation should be a continuous exercise,” he said.

Zulum appealed to the defence minister to deploy more tracked military tanks, MRAPS, and all corresponding ammunition to Borno for a successful operation.

“I believe these are some of the things that the MNJTF, the theatre commander, and military formations will request from you people.

“Then, in terms of the air force, we need air support. I know the kind of constraints you face accessing fighter helicopters and others, but attack helicopters are very important in these areas, and drones are also very important.

“The last attack that happened in Wulgo, carried out by ISWAP and Boko Haram, a confirmed statement said it was carried out with the support of armed drones. They hit the MNJTF with drones.

“This is the time for the Nigerian military to rise again and procure sophisticated drones and anti-drone equipment so that we get rid of these problems.

“While you are working towards kinetic measures, you should consider the non-kinetic approach, which is very important. Borno State has, within the last three years, received more than 300,000 repentant Boko Haram fighters, and not all of them are fighters. Some of them are farmers,” he said.

Zulum expressed optimism that the security situation in the state will improve very soon, while assuring every support and collaboration to the military to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

“I also want to use this opportunity to commend the federal government of Nigeria and the service chiefs for all the support they are rendering to the good people of Borno State.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend the theatre commander as well as his GOC 7th Division and sector 3 for their continued support in ending the insurgency,” he added.

PUNCH