By Muhammad Mamman
The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has issued a stark warning to the Federal Government, revealing that Boko Haram insurgents have begun deploying drones to coordinate and execute attacks in parts of the North-East.
Describing the development as “deeply worrying and highly sophisticated,” Governor Zulum said the terrorist group’s growing technological capacity poses a serious threat to national security and calls for an urgent review of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy.
Speaking during a security briefing in Maiduguri, the governor disclosed that intelligence reports and field accounts from security operatives confirm that the insurgents are now using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor troop movements and target civilian and military locations.
“This marks a dangerous escalation in the insurgency. Boko Haram’s adoption of drone technology for surveillance and attacks is a major shift that requires an immediate and coordinated federal response,” Zulum warned.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen air defence systems across the region, enhance intelligence-sharing among security agencies, and invest in advanced counter-drone technologies to neutralise emerging threats.
Zulum also appealed for closer collaboration with international partners experienced in drone warfare, noting that the new tactics could endanger ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the North-East.
Security experts have echoed the governor’s concerns, saying the use of drones by non-state actors underscores the urgent need to modernise Nigeria’s defence infrastructure and improve its technological resilience.
Boko Haram, which has waged a brutal insurgency for over a decade, appears to be adapting its operations amid sustained military pressure — a development analysts warn could reshape the dynamics of the conflict if not swiftly contained.
