Former Senate Chief Whip and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has called for a stronger United States military presence in Borno State, urging American forces to establish a base in the Mandara Mountains to help eliminate Boko Haram insurgents operating in the region.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, Ndume said the U.S. could play a key role in clearing terr%rist strongholds in the Mandara Mountains, Sambisa Forest and other insurgent enclaves.
“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 said.
Ndume explained that the strategic location of the Mandara Mountains could help disrupt insurgents’ supply routes and movement across the state.
“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.
“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.
His remarks come amid ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
