MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has raised alarms over the regrouping of Boko Haram terrorists in the Tumbus areas of Lake Chad and the Mandara hills in the Sambisa Forest, urging for stronger military efforts to curtail the insurgency.
During a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and other senior military commanders in Maiduguri on Friday, April 25, 2025, Zulum acknowledged the progress made by the military in combating the insurgents but pointed out recent setbacks in military operations.
“What we are facing now is, we do military exercises and operations, but after a while, we disengage,” Zulum explained.
“The Boko Haram and ISWAP members will again come and take over those areas that were previously regained.”
Zulum highlighted the presence of Boko Haram terrorists in the Tumbus water areas of Lake Chad, which he said have become a breeding ground for the insurgents.
The governor lamented that despite the military’s efforts, no operations had been conducted on the shores of Tumbus since the insurgency began.
He stressed that these areas, due to their proximity to other Sahelian states, are vital to the terrorists’ operations.
“There has never been a time since the insurgency started that operations were conducted on the shores of the Tumbus in Lake Chad waters. And, it has been a breeding ground for the insurgents. They can get money, livelihoods, and everything in that water,” Zulum added.
He further stressed the importance of conducting military operations on the waterway to deny terrorists safe havens.
Zulum also noted the lack of manpower covering key areas such as the Timbuktu triangle, Mandara hills, and porous borders to Sahelian states, calling for increased military deployment to address the crisis.
“Manpower is very essential. While I am aware of the constraints of the Nigerian Army, I believe more trained manpower should be deployed to the northeastern region,” he said.
He also called attention to the porous borders, which continue to allow infiltration from the Sahel, exacerbating the security challenges in the region.
Zulum requested that the Nigerian military deploy more track military tanks, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, and the necessary ammunition to Borno.
He also emphasised the need for enhanced air support, particularly attack helicopters and drones, which have become vital in combatting insurgents, especially those using advanced tactics like drone attacks.
Zulum pointed out a recent ISWAP and Boko Haram attack in Wulgo, where drones were used to target the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The governor expressed optimism that the security situation in Borno State would improve with the deployment of these additional resources.
He reiterated his commitment to supporting the military’s efforts in tackling the insurgency.
Minister Abubakar assured that the federal government would continue to provide support to address the security challenges in Borno and the broader northeastern region. He praised the relative peace in Borno in recent years and promised to strengthen the security forces’ capabilities.
“This powerful team from the defence sector is here to engage with you and find out what your requirements are, so as to stop the new trend of insecurity in Borno and the North-East,” said Abubakar.
“We are here to make sure we provide everything required to stop this ugly tide.”
Abubakar expressed confidence that the recent security challenges would be overcome with continued engagement and military cooperation, assuring the people of Borno that the situation would be brought under control.
In a joint effort, the Nigerian military, under the guidance of the government, is expected to intensify operations in the Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa Forest areas to secure vital territories and neutralise the insurgency once and for all.
