Abuja, Nigeria — Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has called for the establishment of a United States military base in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State as part of efforts to eliminate Boko Haram insurgents operating in Nigeria’s North-East region.
Ndume made the appeal during a recent television interview, where he argued that the strategic location of the Mandara Mountains would provide an effective platform for surveillance and military operations against terrorist groups hiding in the rugged terrain and surrounding forests.
According to the senator, the Mandara Mountains, located along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, have remained a major hideout for Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters due to their difficult-to-access landscape. He said a U.S. military presence in the area would significantly enhance intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, and counterterrorism operations.
“The technology and intelligence capabilities of the United States can help in tracking and neutralizing insurgent elements operating in the region,” Ndume reportedly stated.
The lawmaker noted that the proposed military base could also assist in monitoring activities within the Sambisa Forest and other insurgent strongholds across Borno State, thereby strengthening ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces.
His comments come amid renewed concerns over the resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in parts of the North-East, despite years of military offensives against the terrorist groups.
Security analysts have long identified the Mandara Mountains as one of the key operational zones for insurgents due to the area’s mountainous terrain and proximity to international borders, which often provide escape routes for militants.
While Nigeria and the United States have maintained security and intelligence cooperation in the fight against terrorism, there has been no official indication from either government regarding plans to establish a permanent U.S. military base in Nigeria.
The proposal is expected to generate debate among policymakers and security experts, with supporters arguing that enhanced international military collaboration could help accelerate the defeat of insurgent groups, while critics may raise concerns about national sovereignty and foreign military presence on Nigerian soil.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government of Nigeria and U.S. authorities had not issued any official response to Ndume’s proposal.
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