ABUJA — Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, has renewed his call for deeper security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States, specifically advocating for the establishment of a U.S. military base in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State.

Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South, made the appeal on Sunday, June 7, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He argued that a permanent American tactical presence in the region could provide the specialized technology and logistical support necessary to finally dismantle the long-standing strongholds of Boko Haram and other affiliated insurgent groups.

Strategic Rationale

The Mandara Mountains, located along the border with Cameroon, have historically served as a critical corridor for insurgent movement, supply, and refuge. Senator Ndume posited that a U.S. base in this specific terrain would transform the military’s effectiveness in the North-East by:

  • Enhancing Surveillance: Utilizing advanced American intelligence and monitoring technology to track insurgent activity across the Mandara range and the nearby Sambisa Forest.

  • Cutting Supply Lines: Disrupting the complex network of routes that terrorists use to move between the Sambisa Forest, the Lake Chad basin, and various interior enclaves in Borno State.

  • Providing Operational Continuity: Acting as a stabilizing anchor for regional security operations, complementing the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian military.

The senator’s request follows a recent, high-stakes military success in the same region. Just hours after his comments, the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai announced the successful rescue of 360 abducted persons from a major insurgent camp within the Mandara mountain axis. This operation, which utilized extensive intelligence and long-range reconnaissance, underscored both the strategic importance of the terrain and the current intensity of military efforts to reclaim the area.

Collaboration in Context

The call for a U.S. base aligns with ongoing security cooperation between the two nations. Last month, Nigeria's Defence Headquarters reported that joint counter-terrorism efforts with the United States Africa Command had successfully neutralized 175 ISIS-affiliated terrorists in North-East Nigeria.

Senator Ndume emphasized that while he is a strong proponent of foreign technical and strategic support, such an initiative must be accompanied by increased resources and logistical backing for the Nigerian Armed Forces. He maintained that the combination of international technical prowess and sufficient "boots on the ground" remains the most viable path to permanently ending the 16-year insurgency and restoring stability to the North-East.