IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICAL THEORY (IJASMT )

E- ISSN 2489-009X
P- ISSN 2695-1908
VOL. 11 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijasmt.vol.11.no4.2025.pg1.30

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The Gains of Voronoi Partitioning in Asymmetric Warfare Logistics Resupply Management: A Case Study of Nigeria Military Onslaught Against Insurgence in North East Nigeria

James A Emuekpere, Festus Owu

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Abstract

This study develops a Voronoi-Based Heuristic Algorithm (VHA) to optimize the placement of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) for improved logistics support in asymmetric warfare, focusing on the Nigerian Army’s operations in Borno State. The primary objective is to enhance the efficiency, responsiveness and security of military supply chains by minimizing delivery time and distance to troops in dispersed and high-risk zones. The research utilized data from military personnel, field surveys, and geographic mapping to model the operational environment using Voronoi diagrams. These diagrams partitioned the area into zones of influence for potential FOBs. The heuristic algorithm was designed to select optimal FOB locations based on factors such as proximity to demand points, engagement frequency, terrain, and ambush risk. Mathematical models were employed to estimate distance metrics and the cost of engagements. The findings showed that the optimized VHA model reduced average resupply distances by 25% (from 30 km to 22.5 km) and decreased ambushes in Bama from 6 to 2 per 50 logistics trips which is a 66.7% improvement. The engagement casualty cost also dropped by 22.9%, from N412.2Cc to N317.9Cc. Furthermore, the number of required FOBs was reduced from 13 to 8, achieving a 38.5% decrease while maintaining effective operational coverage. The study concludes that the VHA provides a cost-effective and scientifically grounded method for strategic FOB placement in complex environments. It recommends routine updates to FOBs locations using real-time data and terrain analysis to support future military operations.

keywords:

Voronoi: Asymmetric: Logistics: Convex Polygon: Euclidean Distance: Dirichlet Tessellation: Forward Operating Bases

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