Governor calls for stronger national airspace security after Boko Haram drone attacks
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the Federal Government to conduct an immediate and comprehensive review of Nigeria’s air safety and defence mechanisms.
The call came following reports that Boko Haram terrorists have begun deploying drones to target military formations in the North-East, a development experts say marks a dangerous escalation in the insurgents’ capabilities.
Speaking in Mafa town on Friday, Governor Zulum expressed deep concern after receiving intelligence that terrorists had used drones to coordinate attacks in both Borno and Yobe States. The assault, which occurred on Thursday, was successfully repelled by the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai. The coordinated defence operation reportedly resulted in the death of more than 50 terrorists, with troops recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition from the battlefield.
Boko Haram’s new drone tactic raises national security concerns
According to military sources, Boko Haram fighters launched simultaneous attacks on Katarko village in Yobe State and on Mafa, Gajibo, and Dikwa local government areas in Borno State. However, the emergence of drone technology in the terrorists’ arsenal has triggered alarm among both local authorities and security analysts.
Governor Zulum, while briefing journalists, described the development as “frightening,” noting that the use of drones by non-state actors poses a serious national threat.
“One thing I want to comment on is the issue of drones. This is frightening. In Dikwa, I was told drones were used. The proliferation of drones, particularly in the hands of non-state actors, is of great concern for the entire country. We have to do something to stop the rampant use of armed drones,” Zulum stated.
Governor calls for stronger airspace and border surveillance
The Borno governor emphasized that the threat is not limited to his state but could affect the entire nation if not addressed promptly. He called for immediate federal intervention to strengthen Nigeria’s airspace surveillance systems and border control operations, warning that terrorist groups could exploit technological gaps in the country’s defence architecture.
Zulum further urged the military high command to conduct a thorough assessment of existing air defence mechanisms and ensure that troops are equipped with the tools needed to detect and neutralize hostile drones.
“The threat is no longer confined to ground attacks,” he warned. “It’s time to enhance our air monitoring capabilities and ensure that our troops are adequately trained to counter these emerging technologies.”
Citizens urged to cooperate with security agencies
While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces for their resilience, Zulum appealed to citizens to actively support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible intelligence to security agencies. He also encouraged members of the local Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to remain vigilant and work in close coordination with the military.
“We had credible intelligence that Mafa would be attacked and shared it with relevant authorities. There is a need for state and federal governments, alongside the military high command, to identify gaps and address them. There might be sabotage within, which has to be identified and resolved. We must work together rather than blame each other,” he added.
Experts call for policy reform and technological investment
Defence analysts have echoed Governor Zulum’s concerns, stressing that Nigeria must invest in modern air surveillance and counter-drone technologies to keep pace with evolving threats. The use of drones by terrorist groups, they warn, represents a significant shift in asymmetric warfare tactics and could undermine ongoing counter-insurgency operations if left unchecked.
The federal government is expected to issue a formal response in the coming days, as security stakeholders continue to assess the implications of drone warfare in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism landscape.
