Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for a coordinated military operation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force to dismantle insurgent hideouts in the Lake Chad region.

The Governor made the appeal on Monday when he received the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

Governor Zulum described the Lake Chad islands, known as the Tumbus, as a major sanctuary for Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. He said a combined military action is necessary to secure the area and achieve lasting peace.

“A thorough military operation involving the Navy, Air Force, and Army to clear the Tumbus has never been conducted. If we want to bring down insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, we must address the challenges we are facing in the Lake Chad. The area has become a safe haven for terrorists,” he said.

The Governor also identified other insurgent enclaves, including the Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains, stressing the need for a well-coordinated, multi-agency operation to address threats in those locations.

Zulum recommended the deployment of more military technology, particularly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), into the theatre of operations, noting that enhanced surveillance and precision strikes would strengthen counter-insurgency efforts.

He further proposed that military command and control structures hold a strategic meeting in Maiduguri to harmonise plans and improve synergy among security agencies.

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the armed forces, Governor Zulum called for increased funding to equip the military with modern hardware to sustain operations. He also expressed confidence that with commitment and dedication, the insurgency will be defeated.

Earlier, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Aneke, commended the Governor’s leadership and the “Borno Model” of community-based reconciliation and reconstruction, describing it as a national example of how non-kinetic measures can complement military operations.

He also acknowledged the state government’s support to the Nigerian Air Force in Maiduguri, including land allocations and logistical assistance.

Air Marshal Aneke said he has directed greater focus on operational readiness, collaboration with ground forces, and the intelligent use of airpower to support stabilisation efforts across the North-East.