Only serious military action in Lake Chad shores can end B’Haram – Zulum

•Says no coordinated operation yet in the area

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum said only serious and coordinated military actions on the shores of Lake Chad can end the terror activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) in Nigeria.

Zulum revealed this in Maiduguri on Monday during the visit of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Nigeria Air Force, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke with some principal staff officers of the force.

The governor said the military is yet to conduct a serious operation involving ground troops of the Nigerian Army, air interdiction by the Air Force and waterways assault by the Naval troops in the shores of Lake Chad where dozens of terrorists currently hibernate.

“You are right that Borno is the epicentre of Boko Haram and ISWAP. The shores of Lake Chad provide an enabling environment for terrorists to operate. if we want to bring down terrorists in Nigeria, then we must conduct serious military action in the shores of Lake Chad,” he stated.

He said the military has hit Boko Haram and ISWAP in their hideouts in the past but did not hold the ground.

“We must conduct serious military action against terrorists in the Lake Chad shores to end terrorism in Nigeria,” he maintained.

He said Boko Haram still hides in three known locations of Sambisa, Mandara Mountain along the Cameroon borders and Timbus, calling for massive military action to end the protracted violence in the region.

He appealed to the president to give more support. He assured that the Borno government will provide needed support and political will to the military to clear terrorists from the area.

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Aneke acknowledged the strategic importance of Bormo State to the security of Nigeria.

He said the security situation in the Northeast is complex and required coordinated efforts. He assured the Nigeria Air Force is committed to collaborating with the government and civilian population to end the security challenge.

Air Marshal Aneke commended  the governor’s non-kinetic approach to the counter-terrorism through the Borno Model to complement military action.

The shores of Lake Chad covers the northern borders of Nigeria with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.(The Sun)