Our Military Must Counter Boko Haram’s Drone Threats Swiftly

Daily Trust Editorial, Monday November 10, 2025

Terrorist groups in Nigeria—Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP)—have intensified their guerrilla warfare tactics through the use of drones targeting military personnel and infrastructure. While this strategy is not entirely new, its frequency has increased significantly.

In 2018, the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, revealed that Boko Haram had begun deploying drones and mercenaries during attacks—a trend he described as a serious security threat to Nigeria. Buratai stated: “In the last two to three months, we have noticed daring moves by the terrorists, increased use of drones against our defensive positions, and infusion of foreign fighters in their ranks. These potent threats require us to continually review our operations.”

More recently, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, reported that Boko Haram terrorists attacked the Kangar Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mallam Fatori using drones and mortar shells aimed at the base’s defensive positions.

He added that the troops successfully repelled the attackers. Lt. Col. Uba said: “Despite the initial use of drones and indirect fire, the troops held their ground, engaging the terrorists in a fierce fire fight supported by close air support from Nigerien Fighter Ground Attack platforms. The terrorists, overwhelmed by the superior firepower and coordination of the joint force, retreated in disarray into the waterways of the Tumbuns (islands), evacuating several of their casualties.”

This development is alarming, as it demonstrates how swiftly terror groups in Nigeria are adapting to modern military strategies in line with global trends. Over the years, these groups have evolved from using knives to assault rifles—AK-47s and other automatic weapons—in ambushes and raids. They later acquired Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) to target armoured vehicles and fortified positions, followed by the use of armoured vehicles, often seized during attacks on Nigerian army bases and repurposed, including Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

They also began deploying machine guns and mortars for coordinated assaults, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on roads and in civilian areas to disrupt military movements and instil fear, and anti-aircraft guns mounted on vehicles for both defensive and offensive operations. The use of drones marks a new level of sophistication and preparedness, escalating the threat they pose to the Nigerian military.

The deployment of drones has raised the challenge of defeating these groups to a new level. Boko Haram and ISWAP now use drones to scout military positions, monitor troop movements, and plan ambushes. More concerning is their ability to modify drones to deliver explosives directly onto targets, bypassing traditional defences. Their deep understanding of the terrain and military vulnerabilities in the North East further compounds the threat. Additionally, drones could be used to jam military communications and frustrate efforts to dislodge them.

To counter this, Daily Trust urges the Nigerian military to enhance its aerial surveillance capabilities to deny terrorists technological advantages. As part of its counterinsurgency strategy, the military has banned drone use in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. Humanitarian organisations and journalists operating in these areas have faced restrictions on drone use for video recording and photography. However, the successful deployment of this high-tech weaponry by terrorists indicates that current measures are insufficient. The military must scale up its strategies by deploying counter-drone technology to disrupt terrorist drones before they reach their targets.

Counter-drone technology alone is not enough. Countries within the Multinational Joint Task Force must collaborate to share intelligence on the supply chains and external support that insurgents receive through Lake Chad Basin trade routes. While porous borders have long been cited as a reason for Nigeria’s inability to halt terrorist operations, it is now imperative to work closely with Cameroon, Chad, and the Niger Republic to monitor and intercept weapons before they reach terrorist hands. Enhanced surveillance patrols can significantly reduce the flow of illicit arms into Nigeria.

There are several other measures that, if put in place, could disrupt the flow of such weapons. First is the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which has been working to track illicit flows and monitor informal economies that fund terrorist groups. This agency must take its job seriously to detect individuals and networks suspected of financing terrorism.

Also, Nigeria’s relationship with INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) must be reinforced, as it could help Nigeria gain access to global intelligence on arms trafficking and terrorist movements. The military intelligence could acquire technology that can track online purchases of illicit weapons and communication gadgets. This measure could expose groups and individuals in the Sahel region who attempt to acquire high-tech gear for criminal purposes. The minimum measure to put in place would be to empower Nigerians in local communities to report suspicious acquisition of hi-tech weapons so they could be intercepted before they are deployed.