Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for the deployment of additional air platforms to intensify the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad region, Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, and the Mandara Mountains.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, at the Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum commended the Nigerian Air Force for its sustained air support to ground forces and humanitarian assistance to displaced persons.
“Notwithstanding the enormous contributions of the Nigerian Air Force to peace and security in Borno, we still need greater air power in our Area of Responsibility, particularly in the shores of Lake Chad, Sambisa, Timbuktu Triangle, and the Mandara Mountains,” Zulum stated. “These areas are extremely difficult to man by ground troops alone. Heavy air presence is vital to eliminate insurgents and secure the region.”
The governor acknowledged the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other assets, pledging continued government support to enhance operational success. He also praised the synergy between the Air Force and other security agencies, which he said has delivered recent operational gains.
In his remarks, Air Marshal Abubakar lauded Zulum’s community-driven deradicalization and reintegration programme, describing it as a model worth sustaining.
“The Borno model, focused on healing, reconciliation, and the active involvement of community groups, has been instrumental in disarmament, demobilization, and deradicalization. It prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment, especially for those coerced into terrorism, and has improved security across the North East,” the CAS said.
He credited Zulum’s leadership for strengthening local governance, building community resilience, and improving critical infrastructure, which have collectively enhanced security. Abubakar reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to peace in the region, noting that the air component of Operation Hadin Kai has intensified operations to “an unprecedented level” in 2025.
