From Abdullahi Alhassan, Borno
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the military to expedite preparations for a coordinated offensive, Operation Lake Sanity, to dislodge insurgents from the shores and islands of Lake Chad.
Zulum made the call on Saturday when he received the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, during a courtesy visit to the new Council Chamber at the Government House, Maiduguri.
The governor commended the Nigerian Army for improvements in the state’s security situation but called for additional military deployments to strategic locations, including Kareto, Baga and the Sabon Gari–Wajiroko axis, to protect communities, secure waterways and facilitate the reopening of the Damboa–Biu road.
He attributed recent attacks on communities in northern Borno to the presence of insurgents around Lake Chad, stressing that a major military offensive was necessary to achieve lasting peace.
“The recent attacks on some communities in northern Borno are a result of the presence of insurgents along the shores of Lake Chad. We cannot achieve complete peace without undertaking major military operations in that area,” Zulum said.
The governor acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for the proposed operation and efforts to coordinate the military service chiefs, urging the Army leadership to accelerate the process.
“I understand that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has provided the necessary support for the operation. I urge you to hasten the process so that the insurgents threatening northern Borno can be dislodged,” he stated.
Zulum Seeks Stronger Military Presence in Strategic Areas
Zulum also called for the strengthening of the amphibious command in Baga to clear waterways and secure strategic positions necessary to sustain the gains of the proposed operation.
On the Gubio–Damasak corridor, he appealed for the speedy establishment of a military formation in Kareto. He also sought increased military presence around Sabon Gari and Wajiroko in Damboa Local Government Area to support efforts to restore vehicular movement along the Damboa–Biu road.
The governor thanked the Chief of Army Staff for facilitating the training of about 1,000 forest guards, who had completed their training and been deployed to Borno State.
He further emphasised the need to consolidate military gains through reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement, commending the Army’s support for the re-establishment of Mairari community and preparations for military formations and community resettlement in Maiwa, Koshobe and Ala.
“Military operations must be followed by stabilisation measures, including reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement. Borno State Government will provide the support required by the Nigerian Army to fortify these locations,” he pledged.
Zulum also expressed appreciation for the additional battalions deployed across the two operational sectors, noting that the reinforcements had helped strengthen security and stabilise affected communities.
Despite recent attacks in parts of the state, the governor said the overall security situation had improved considerably, commending personnel of Operation Hadin Kai for their efforts.
“Notwithstanding the recent attacks in some parts of Borno State, there has been tremendous improvement in our security situation. I commend the officers and men of Operation Hadin Kai and urge them to sustain this momentum,” he said.
Read Also: Zulum Seeks Tougher Anti-Deforestation Enforcement, Awards Forestry Scholarships
In his remarks, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu commended Governor Zulum for his sustained support to the Nigerian Army, describing the assistance as instrumental to the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency in Borno State.
“I must put on record that the support of the Executive Governor of Borno State has been phenomenal in the successes we have recorded here in Borno State. For that, we say a very big thank you, sir,” the Army Chief said.
Shuaibu explained that his visit to troops of Operation Hadin Kai was part of a routine assessment of ongoing operations, aimed at encouraging commanders and appreciating the resilience of personnel confronting insurgency in the North-East.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to restoring normalcy and creating an enabling environment for socioeconomic activities to thrive, assuring that operational challenges raised by commanders would receive prompt attention.
The courtesy visit was attended by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; member representing Marte, Monguno and Nganzai Federal Constituency, Hon. Bukar Talba; Secretary to the Borno State Government; commissioners; special advisers; and senior military and security officials in the state.