The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning regarding the growing use of armed drones by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, a development that signals a dangerous escalation in the terrorist group’s operational capabilities.
Major General Waidi Shaibu, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed the alarming trend during a media briefing in Maiduguri, Borno State. He confirmed that troops had encountered instances where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were weaponised and deployed by the insurgents to target military assets and personnel.
“We have verified intelligence indicating that Boko Haram is now deploying armed drones in their operations. These are not mere surveillance drones, they are being used to deliver explosives in targeted attacks,” the commander said.
According to military sources, several of these drone strikes have been recorded in recent weeks, particularly in volatile locations within Borno State. The attacks, described as precise and coordinated, have resulted in both human and material losses. Analysts say the drones bear technological similarities to models seen in war theatres such as Ukraine and the Middle East, raising fresh concerns about foreign influence or black-market access to military-grade UAVs.
The army’s revelation comes amid a broader push to suppress the insurgency, which has persisted for over a decade. More than 35,000 people have been killed and over two million displaced due to the Boko Haram conflict, which began in 2009. While Nigerian forces have recorded gains in pushing back the militants, the emergence of drone warfare represents a new layer of complexity in the fight.
In response, the Nigerian military says it is stepping up its counter-drone efforts, including the acquisition of radar systems and jamming technology to detect and neutralise airborne threats. The Defence Headquarters is also collaborating with foreign allies to enhance drone monitoring across the country’s borders.
“We are adjusting our battlefield strategies accordingly,” General Shaibu noted. “This is a wake-up call that insurgents are evolving, and we must stay several steps ahead.”
Security experts have warned that Boko Haram’s adoption of drones could embolden other armed groups operating in Nigeria and the wider Sahel region. Dr. Kabiru Adamu, a defence consultant based in Abuja, described the development as “deeply troubling,” adding that it indicates the insurgents’ growing sophistication and access to international black-market technology.
“The Nigerian government must act swiftly, not only through military responses but also by strengthening intelligence, border control, and cyber surveillance,” Adamu said.
The Federal Government has yet to issue an official policy statement on the matter, but sources within the Ministry of Defence say urgent consultations are ongoing to reassess Nigeria’s national drone strategy in light of these emerging threats.
As the situation unfolds, residents in affected communities continue to live in fear, uncertain of where or when the next strike could come from. The Nigerian Army is urging vigilance and encouraging locals to report suspicious aerial activities to the nearest security outposts.
The use of armed drones by non-state actors marks a concerning shift in Nigeria’s asymmetric warfare landscape, and the response, both military and political, will likely shape the trajectory of the counter-insurgency campaign in the months ahead.
