Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has called for the deployment of additional Nigerian Air Force (NAF) platforms to step up the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad area, Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, and Mandara Mountains.
The governor made the appeal on Tuesday during a meeting with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, at the Government House, Maiduguri.
While commending the Air Force for its air support to ground operations, humanitarian interventions, and contributions to restoring peace in Borno, Zulum stressed the need for greater air power to cover difficult terrains.
“Despite the enormous contributions of the Air Force to peace and security in Borno, we still need more air power, particularly in the shores of Lake Chad, Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, and Mandara Mountains,” Zulum said. “These areas are difficult for ground troops alone to secure. Heavy air power is essential to eliminate insurgents and address insecurity.”
He acknowledged the recent deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the region and pledged continued support for NAF operations. Zulum also commended the synergy between the Air Force and other security agencies, which he said had contributed to recent operational gains.
Air Marshal Abubakar hailed Zulum’s Borno Model of deradicalisation and reintegration as a community-driven, non-kinetic approach that has achieved measurable results.
“The model has been largely successful, with active participation from community groups and a focus on healing and reconciliation rather than punishment, especially for those forced into terrorism,” Abubakar said. “It has positively impacted security across Borno and other parts of the North-East.”
He added that the air component of Operation Hadin Kai had intensified operations to record levels in 2025, reaffirming the Air Force’s commitment to sustaining peace and security in the region.