Boko Haram uses drone to attack troops, Zulum tells FG
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, has urged the federal government to carry out an immediate and comprehensive review of Nigeria’s air safety and defence systems, following a disturbing incident in which Boko Haram insurgents deployed a drone to attack a military formation in the state.
Zulum, who made the call on Friday in Mafa town, described the development as a dangerous escalation in the operational capabilities of the terrorist group.
He warned that the successful use of drones by insurgents to target military assets exposes a major vulnerability in the nation’s airspace security.
“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 said.
The governor stressed that the incident poses a serious national security threat, not just to Borno State. “Our borders and airspace need to be strengthened urgently. This is the right time for the security architecture to thoroughly review and enhance the capability of our airspace to curtail the use of armed drones by terrorists,” he added.
While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts, Zulum urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence on suspicious movements and activities in their communities.
“We are here to commiserate with the victims of the attack and to build the confidence of our people,” he said, calling on members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to remain resilient and continue supporting the military’s counterterrorism operations.
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The governor further revealed that credible intelligence had earlier indicated plans by insurgents to attack Mafa, noting that such information was circulated to relevant authorities.
He called for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, as well as the military high command, to address security lapses.
“I believe there might be elements of sabotage that need to be identified and addressed. We don’t have to blame each other; we have to come together and resolve this situation,” Zulum stated.
