Nigerian Military Says Boko Haram is Using Drones Similar to Those Used by Israel and Ukraine

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that terrorist groups operating in the North East have introduced the use of armed drones in their attacks, similar to those used in Israel or Ukraine.

According to the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General AE Abubakar, this development was first noticed in November last year and has since posed significant challenges to conventional defence systems.

Speaking to the press, Major General Abubakar highlighted that these drones are similar to those employed in conflict zones like Israel and Ukraine, making them difficult to detect with standard radar systems.

Since November of last year, we noticed the introduction of the use of armed drones to carry out attacks. Like you would find in Israel or Ukraine, these drones are difficult to detect by conventional radar detection, he said.

Despite this evolving threat, the Theatre Commander assured that the Nigerian military has progressed steadily in its counter-terrorism operations.

He pointed out that in the past week, over 20 terrorists have been neutralised, with arms and ammunition recovered in various engagements. He also noted that thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have successfully returned to their ancestral homes, signalling improvements in regional security.

However, Abubakar acknowledged that the insurgency persists partly due to the influx of illicit weapons from the greater Sahel region, where military barracks in neighbouring countries are frequently overrun and arms are stolen. These weapons often find their way into Nigeria through porous borders, sustaining the conflict.

In response, the Nigerian Army has been re-strategizing and reorganising its operations. Recent changes in leadership, including Abubakar’s appointment three weeks ago, are part of broader efforts to adapt to the changing nature of the conflict.

Additional platforms and personnel are being inducted into the theatre, he revealed, while also admitting that terrorists have shifted to multi-pronged attacks on isolated military deployments to generate propaganda.

The Commander cited recent attacks in Rann, Dikwa, and Gajiram as examples of this tactic. While most of these attacks were repelled, the assault on Rann resulted in the loss of four military personnel.

Despite the challenges, Major General Abubakar reaffirmed the military’s commitment to completely defeating terrorism in the North East.

We will restore peace to the region once and for all, in the shortest possible time. We just need the support of the nation,” he concluded.

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