Senator Ali Ndume has called for the establishment of a United States (US)military base in Borno State, arguing that a stronger American presence in Nigeria’s North-East could significantly weaken Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents operating across the region.
The senator representing Borno South made the appeal during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he urged the United States (US)to establish a strategic operational base in the Mandara Mountains, an area long regarded as one of the insurgents’ major hideouts.
Ndume said the location would provide American forces with a vantage point to monitor and disrupt terrorist movements stretching from the Mandara Mountains to the Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad Basin.
“I am in full support. In fact, I am appealing. Let the Americans go to Gwoza and take over the Mandara Mountains, please,” Ndume said.
According to him, the rugged terrain has for years served as a refuge for insurgents, making it difficult for security forces to completely eliminate terrorist cells operating in the area.
The lawmaker argued that advanced surveillance technology available to the United States military could help identify insurgent camps, supply routes and movement corridors that continue to sustain terrorist operations across Borno State.
He explained that the Mandara Mountains sit at a strategic point linking several routes used by insurgents moving between Sambisa Forest, the Lake Chad region, Kaga, Buni Yadi and communities around southern Borno.
“If that cycle can be cut off, we’ll have a reduction in insurgency. There will be nowhere for them to get support or supplies,” he said.
Ndume also stressed that defeating insurgency would require more resources, intelligence capabilities and manpower for Nigerian troops.
“You can’t do that without enough boots on the ground. The Nigerian Army needs the resources,” he added.
His comments come at a time when security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has expanded, with recent joint operations targeting terrorist strongholds across the North-East.
Security analysts remain divided over the proposal for a permanent foreign military base. Supporters argue that advanced intelligence and surveillance capabilities could strengthen counter-insurgency efforts, while critics point to sovereignty concerns and the implications of a long-term foreign military presence.
Borno State remains the epicentre of Nigeria’s insurgency, with security forces continuing operations across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains and Lake Chad Basin to dismantle terrorist networks and restore stability to affected communities.
