Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed grave concerns over the resurgence of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents across critical territories in the state, warning that recent military setbacks are allowing the terrorists to regroup unchecked in the Lake Chad region and Mandara Hills within the Sambisa Forest.
Speaking on Friday in Maiduguri during a courtesy visit by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Governor Zulum warned that the gains recorded against insurgency over the years risk being reversed without immediate, coordinated military action.
According to Zulum, terrorists are freely breeding in the Tumbus waterways of Lake Chad, leveraging the difficult terrain to rebuild their operations. “There was never a time since the insurgency started that operations were conducted deep into the Tumbus area,” he said. “It remains a breeding ground for insurgents, providing them with livelihood, financial support, and strategic cover.”
The governor lamented that following military operations, troops often withdraw without permanent security structures, allowing Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters to reclaim lost grounds. “What we are facing now is cyclical – military exercises come and go, but without a permanent presence, insurgents simply return,” he explained.
Zulum, who has been praised for his proactive stance against terrorism, emphasized that the Nigerian military urgently requires more manpower and advanced technology to secure vulnerable regions like the Timbuktu Triangle, the porous Mandara Hills, and Lake Chad’s Tumbus areas.
“Manpower is very essential,” the governor stressed. “Although I understand the Nigerian Army is stretched thin across the Northeast, Northwest, North Central, and southern parts of Nigeria, it is crucial to strengthen forces in Borno. ISWAP and Boko Haram are internationally connected and will continue exploiting our porous borders if not contained.”
He further called for the deployment of tracked military tanks, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs), advanced fighter helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). “The last attack on Wulgo involved drones operated by terrorists,” he noted, highlighting the urgent need for the military to procure anti-drone equipment to counter the evolving threats.
Zulum urged the federal authorities to ensure that military operations become a sustained, continuous exercise rather than sporadic interventions that give insurgents breathing space to regroup.
In addition to military measures, Governor Zulum stressed the need to complement force with non-kinetic strategies aimed at deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration. He revealed that over the past three years, Borno State had received more than 300,000 individuals who surrendered from Boko Haram and ISWAP ranks — many of whom are farmers rather than hardened fighters.
“While kinetic measures are important, we must invest heavily in non-kinetic approaches to win hearts and minds, ensuring that these repentant individuals can reintegrate successfully into society,” Zulum advised.
He reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering support for the military’s counterinsurgency efforts, expressing optimism that with renewed commitment, peace will soon be fully restored in Borno and the entire Northeast.
Responding to the governor’s concerns, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains fully committed to overcoming the recent security challenges. He confirmed that the federal government would urgently supply additional manpower, equipment, and air support as needed.
“We are here to engage with our troops and ascertain their needs so we can act promptly,” Badaru said. “The President has given clear instructions that no effort should be spared in restoring peace to Borno and the Northeast.”
The Defence Minister praised Zulum’s leadership, acknowledging that Borno State had enjoyed relative peace in recent years due to the governor’s proactive governance, massive reconstruction efforts, and people-focused humanitarian policies.
Security experts have long warned that the Lake Chad Basin, stretching across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, remains a volatile hotspot where terrorist groups exploit the difficult terrain, economic deprivation, and weak border controls. Analysts say without a comprehensive regional security architecture, including enhanced multinational cooperation through frameworks like the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), insurgent groups will continue to find safe havens.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Boko Haram conflict has already cost over 350,000 lives since 2009 and displaced millions across the Lake Chad region.
In light of these developments, Governor Zulum’s latest alarm serves as a critical reminder that Nigeria’s fight against terrorism remains far fro over — and that a renewed, well-coordinated response is urgently needed.
P