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Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, has explained he would again support another US military airstrikes against insurgents operating in parts of North-East Nigeria.
Ndume made the remarks on Friday while speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
He said his call is being driven by the prolonged activities of Boko Haram insurgents in communities within his constituency, particularly around the Mandara Mountains.
According to the lawmaker, insurgents have maintained a presence in the mountainous areas for over a decade, forcing residents to flee their homes and farmlands.
He said sustained and consistent military offensives are necessary to eliminate the group and enable displaced persons to return home.
The lawmaker said residents of Gwoza and surrounding communities would be receptive to such support, stressing that security concerns have prevented him from visiting his village for years, even under escort.
Ndume maintained that his position reflects the desperation of communities that have endured prolonged insecurity and are seeking decisive action to end insurgency in the region.
Ndume said: “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.”
Why I want second Trump’s military airstrikes in Nigeria – Ndume
