Ndume Urges FG, US To Extend Military Operations To North-East
A former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has urged the Federal Government to extend its joint military operations with the United States against terrorist hideouts to the North-East.
The lawmaker cited the continued presence of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the region as the need for that action.
Ndume made the appeal on Saturday in a statement in which he commended the recent military airstrikes carried out against ISWAP cells in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army said expanding the scope of the joint military operations to the North-East would significantly weaken insurgent groups operating in the region, particularly ISWAP and Boko Haram.
He said, “We welcome this cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in targeting terrorists’ hideouts. 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, which are exclusive strongholds of ISWAP and Boko Haram.
“I also want to suggest that the military cooperation with the United States should extend to ground troops in training, intelligence, and logistics. They should also back it up with attack helicopter support for ground troops.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
