In a fiery and emotional appeal, Senator Ali Ndume has openly called for fresh U.S. airstrikes against Boko Haram, and even offered his own home in Gwoza as a base for American troops.
The Borno South senator, speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, declared that the war against insurgents in the Mandara Mountains must be relentless and uncompromising.
“I called for it. In fact, I was thinking that they will start from my local government. Yes, because the Boko Haram, the issue of you know, have dominated for the past 15 years.
“They have dominated the Mandara Mountain up till now. And we had wanted, and have been calling that there must be consistent and sustained attack until they are all eliminated.
“That’s when our people that are still in the IDP camps, you know, under the mountain, can go back, because there are peoples who still live in the mountains and farm in the mountains, but they have to run away. Boko Haram chase them. There are some of them that are still captives.
“In fact, we want the… I’m speaking for my people, especially my own local government. If the 200 Americans that Nigerians are talking about now don’t have…they are not comfortable, please let them go to my local government and stay and operate from there, our people will be happy.”
“I can move out of my house in Gwoza for they to come over my house for them to stay as long as we will have peace.
“You know what, for the past 16 years I cannot go to my village, especially this time around, no no matter what, even under escort, you don’t risk going from now.”
For 16 years, Ndume says, insurgents have tightened their grip on parts of Borno South, especially the Mandara Mountain region, forcing thousands into IDP camps and making farming a life-threatening gamble.
His explosive comments come amid growing speculation over renewed U.S.-Nigeria military cooperation, following reports of a U.S. Air Force C30J aircraft landing at Kaduna International Airport.
Security platform “Mobilising Nigerians” revealed, “A U.S. Air Force military transport aircraft C30J has landed at Kaduna International Airport after departing from Ghana earlier this evening.”
The handle further stated, “The movement is fueling speculation that U.S. personnel may utilize the Kaduna Depot as a potential training hub in collaboration with the Nigerian military,” Mobilising Nigerians, a counter-terrorism handle on X wrote.
Although officials insist the 200 American troops slated for deployment will only provide training and technical support, not direct combat, Ndume’s message is unmistakable: Bring them to Gwoza, strike hard, and end it once and for all.
