Former Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has called for an enhanced United States military presence in Nigeria’s North-East, suggesting that American forces establish a base in the Mandara Mountains to help dislodge Boko Haram insurgents operating in the area.
Ndume made the appeal on Sunday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed the persistent security challenges in parts of the North-East amid renewed concerns over terrorist activities.
The senator, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, argued that the United States could play a decisive role in clearing insurgent hideouts in strategic locations such as the Mandara Mountains, Sambisa Forest, and other known enclaves used by militants.
He said, “I’m hoping that they (Donald Trump and his men) could even go far beyond, as I said earlier, when the issue of Americans coming in (was reported) since last year. So I wish they could even establish their base under the Mandara Mountains and drive away all those Boko Haram elements from there.
And then from the Mandara Mountains, it can serve as a point to even observe up to Sambisa. They have the technology to monitor those (insurgents). So I am in full support.
“In fact, I am appealing. Let the Americans go to Gwoza and take over the Mandara Mountains, please. It will go a long way to cut down on (insecurity) because they have a ring road in Borno State.”
He further explained that the terrain and location of the Mandara Mountains could be strategically used to disrupt insurgent movement, supply routes, and operational networks across Borno State.
According to him, the insurgents operate through interconnected routes linking Sambisa, Lake Chad, Kaga, Mandaragirau, Buni Yadi, and Gwoza, forming a cycle that enables movement and resupply.
“So, from Sambisa, they can go to Lake Chad and come through the route in Kaga. From Kaga, they can go down through Mandaragirau or Buni Yadi and move on to Gwoza through Mandaragirau, as I said. With that, they have cycled to Borno State.
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“So if that cycle can be cut off, we’ll have a reduction (of insurgency). In fact, there will be nowhere for them to go to get support or supplies. But you can’t do that, as I said, without a team and enough boots on the ground. The Nigerian army needs the resources,” he added.
Ndume’s comments come at a time when Nigeria and the United States continue to strengthen security cooperation in counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
Last month, the Defence Headquarters revealed that joint operations carried out alongside the United States Africa Command led to the elimination of 175 ISIS fighters in the region. This was disclosed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, who described the operation as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks.
For over a decade, Borno State has remained the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency. Military operations continue across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, and Lake Chad Basin as security forces work to contain attacks and restore stability to affected communities.