PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the acquisition of additional air assets to strengthen the fight against terrorism.

The approval came as terrorists have in recent months intensified attacks, particularly in the northern region of the country.

Briefing State House correspondents immediately after a closed-door meeting with the President and defence chiefs at the Aso Rock Villa on Friday, May 16, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, said the additional equipment has already been procured to strengthen the fight against insurgency.

“Mr President has given a directive as to what to do next for us to intensify all efforts and collaborate with all our sister countries around us, because it is the porous nature from there that is aggravating our issues on the ground.

“And so all our theatres have been enhanced, equipment has been bought, and Mr President has given us much approval for air assets and other aspects of security, and as we said, it is not only the kinetic aspect, the non-kinetic aspect is most important,” Musa said.

Musa hinted that the President was also looking to discuss with state governors to support the cause and ensure the fight against terrorism is extended to communities.

He, however, linked the recent surge in insecurity in Nigeria to a global push by terrorists and jihadists across the Sahel region, asserting that the pressure is largely due to the porous nature of the country’s borders.

Maintaining that the meeting with Tinubu was held to review the overall security situation in the country, Musa added that the security chiefs assured the President of their commitment and efforts to bring the situation under control.

The ICIR reported recently on the rising insecurity in Plateau State, where terrorists took over and occupied about 64 communities.

The attack prompted the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to order a census of residents in the communities occupied by the terrorists to ensure proper documentation of those living in the area.

The attack, which began on March 28, 2025, escalated with a series of coordinated invasions of villages across the Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of the North-Central state.

By Wednesday, April 2, it escalated in several communities of the LGA, displacing many and leaving a trail of destruction in Ruwi, Hurti, Tadai, Manguna, and Dafo communities.

Not least, 52 people were killed in the attack, the ICIR reported.