Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has called on the Federal Government to extend its joint military operations with the United States against terrorist groups to Nigeria’s North-East region. He said such action would help weaken and possibly defeat Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which still operate in parts of the region.
Ndume made the appeal on Saturday in a statement where he praised recent military airstrikes carried out against terrorist hideouts in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The attacks reportedly targeted cells linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a global terrorist group with affiliates in different parts of Africa.
The former Senate Leader described the operation as a positive development and welcomed the growing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism. He said the success recorded in the North-West should be extended to the North-East, which has suffered years of deadly insurgency.
The issue of foreign military support in Nigeria came into focus after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, recently announced that the US military had carried out airstrikes on terrorist targets in North-West Nigeria. The announcement attracted wide attention and debate across the country.
Following the statement by the US President, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, confirmed the development. He explained that the US airstrikes were conducted with Nigeria’s full cooperation, approval, and intelligence support. Tuggar stressed that the operation did not violate Nigeria’s sovereignty and was not directed at any religious group.
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the joint action was part of broader efforts to deal with security threats that have continued to affect many parts of the country. He said the Nigerian government remains in control of all security decisions and works with international partners only when it is in the country’s best interest.
Reacting to these developments, Ndume said the North-East should not be left out of such cooperation. He noted that Boko Haram and ISWAP have well-known strongholds in the region, which could be effectively targeted through joint military action.
“We welcome this cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in targeting terrorists’ hideouts,” Ndume said. “I am calling on them to extend it to the North-East, where ISWAP and Boko Haram have their three known black spots: Lake Chad, Mandara Mountain, and Sambisa.”
The senator explained that these areas have served as major bases for terrorist operations for many years. Sambisa Forest, for instance, became widely known after the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State. Despite repeated military operations, parts of the forest remain difficult to access due to its size and terrain.
Lake Chad, which borders Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has also been a major hideout for terrorists. The shrinking of the lake over the years has created islands and remote areas that armed groups use to move across borders and avoid security forces. The Mandara Mountains, located along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, are another difficult terrain that has provided cover for insurgents.
Ndume, who once served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army, said stronger military action in these areas could deal a heavy blow to the terrorists. He added that airstrikes alone may not be enough and called for broader cooperation.
“I also want to suggest that the military cooperation with the United States should extend to ground troops in training, intelligence, and logistics,” he said. “They should also back it up with attack helicopter support for ground troops.”
According to him, improved training, better intelligence sharing, and strong air support would help Nigerian forces operate more effectively and reduce casualties. He argued that modern warfare requires advanced technology and coordination, which international partnerships can help provide.
The North-East has been the worst hit by insurgency in Nigeria. For over a decade, Boko Haram and ISWAP have carried out attacks on communities, military bases, markets, places of worship, and schools. Thousands of people have been killed, while millions have been displaced from their homes.
Although the Nigerian military has recorded several successes in recent years, including the recovery of territories and the surrender of some fighters, attacks have not completely stopped. Suicide bombings, ambushes, and raids on rural communities still occur, especially in Borno State.
Ndume also spoke on the issue of defence funding. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allocating the highest amount to defence in the proposed 2026 budget. According to him, the increased funding shows the government’s seriousness about tackling insecurity.
However, the senator stressed the need for accountability and transparency in the use of defence funds. He said Nigerians deserve to see results from the huge investments being made in security.
“Allocating funds is one thing, but ensuring that the money is properly used is another,” he said. “There must be accountability so that the military and other security agencies get the equipment and support they truly need.”
The former Senate Chief Whip also reacted to a recent suicide bomb attack in Gamboru, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The explosion occurred inside a mosque and reportedly killed at least five people, while many others were injured.
Ndume expressed deep sympathy to the victims and their families. He described the attack as painful and disturbing, especially as it happened in a place of worship.
“I sympathize with the bomb blast victims in Borno State, where many people were killed and injured,” he said. “The incident in the mosque in Gamboru is a clear indication that the terrorists don’t care about religion.”
He pointed out that the attack took place on the eve of Christmas and that all the victims were Muslims. According to him, this shows that terrorists are not fighting for any religion but are simply out to cause suffering and instability.
“So, the narrative of Christian genocide doesn’t exist,” Ndume said. “The terrorists making life unbearable for our people are blind to religion.”