Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for increased air power to further weaken Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the Lake Chad area, Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, and Mandara Mountains.
Zulum made the appeal on Tuesday when he received the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, at the Government House in Maiduguri.
He commended the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, for its role in combating insecurity in the state, providing air support to ground troops, and assisting displaced persons, but stressed the need for heavier aerial firepower to effectively clear insurgents from difficult terrain.
“These areas are very difficult to be manned effectively by ground troops alone. We need heavy air power to eliminate the insurgents and address insecurity in the general area,” Zulum said.
The governor also praised the synergy between NAF and other security agencies, which he said had contributed to recent operational gains, and assured the state government’s continued support.
On his part, Air Marshal Abubakar hailed Zulum’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme, describing it as a “largely successful” model that focuses on community-driven, non-kinetic approaches to counter terrorism.
He said the initiative has helped improve security across Borno and the wider North East, and pledged NAF’s sustained commitment to peace in the region.
Gov Zulum seeks more air power to tackle Boko Haram, ISWAP
