Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) has renewed his call for United States military airstrikes against Boko Haram insurgents in Northeast Nigeria, specifically targeting their strongholds in the Mandara Mountains around Gwoza.
Ndume, speaking on Friday’s Politics Today programme on Channels Television, said locals would welcome U.S. forces, even offering his personal home in Gwoza as a base if it brings peace after 16 years of insecurity that has barred him from visiting his village—even under military escort.
The lawmaker’s plea follows President Donald Trump’s December 25, 2025, airstrikes on terrorist bases in Sokoto State, which Ndume praised but said must extend to Borno for sustained offensives to wipe out insurgents dominating the region for 15 years.
Insurgents’ Mountain Grip Forces Mass Displacement
Boko Haram’s control of the rugged Mandara Mountains has displaced thousands, forcing farmers to flee farmlands and live as IDPs or captives, Ndume lamented.
He stressed that only “consistent and sustained attacks” can enable returns home, noting recent deadly strikes in Borno underscore the threat’s persistence.
Residents of Gwoza and environs, per Ndume, back U.S. involvement—including basing 200 American personnel locally—amid failed local efforts.
Personal Toll and Local Desperation
“I called for it. In fact, I was thinking they will start from my local government,” Ndume said, highlighting Boko Haram’s unchallenged reign.
“Our people…still in IDP camps under the mountain, can go back” only after elimination, he added, vowing to vacate his house for troops.
Ndume’s stance reflects Borno’s crisis: recent Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks killed dozens, including soldiers and civilians, prompting his repeated push for drones, jets, and foreign aid.
Broader Security Context
The Mandara range, spanning Nigeria-Cameroon, offers insurgents hideouts via caves and paths, fueling hit-and-run raids.
Ndume commended Nigerian troops and Civilian JTF but urged more hardware, echoing past calls for contractors and intel-sharing.
His remarks come amid Northeast food insecurity from abandoned farms and stalled anti-terror ops.
Ravenewsonline recalls Ndume’s consistent advocacy, including September 2025 condemnation of 63 deaths in Borno attacks.
