Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to deploy more air platforms to intensify the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the Lake Chad region, Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and the Mandara Mountains.

The governor made the appeal yesterday while receiving the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, at the Government House in Maiduguri. He commended the NAF for its contributions to security in the state, including providing air cover for ground troops and humanitarian support to displaced persons.

“Despite the Nigerian Air Force’s enormous contributions to peace and security in the state, we still need more in terms of air power in our Area of Responsibility, especially in the Lake Chad shores, Sambisa, Timbuktu Triangle, and Mandara Mountains,” Zulum said.

“These areas are extremely difficult for ground forces to man effectively. We need stronger air power to eliminate insurgents and address insecurity in these regions,” he added.

The governor acknowledged the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other assets in the region, pledging the state government’s continued support to ensure operational success. He also praised the synergy between the NAF and other security agencies, saying it had contributed significantly to recent operational gains.

In his remarks, Air Marshal Abubakar lauded Zulum’s leadership and the “Borno Model” a community-driven, non-kinetic counter-terrorism strategy combining deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former insurgents with humanitarian support. He described it as a proven approach that has yielded positive results through active community participation and a focus on reconciliation over punishment.

“The Nigerian Air Force remains fully committed to ensuring peace and security in the North East. This year, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai has intensified its operational tempo to an unprecedented level,” Abubakar assured.