Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has dismissed allegations that Boko Haram insurgents possess more advanced weaponry than the Nigerian military, insisting that the armed forces remain better equipped and strategically superior in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
Speaking during a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru firmly refuted assertions made by lawmakers in the House of Representatives that the insurgents have outgunned military personnel. He described such claims as misleading and emphasized that the true challenge lies in the insurgents’ unconventional warfare tactics, not superior firepower.
“This is not a conventional war,” Badaru explained. “It’s a guerrilla-style conflict where the enemy hides among civilians, exploits informants, and strikes unpredictably. Our weapons and intelligence systems are far more advanced.”
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His comments came in response to warnings by lawmakers that growing insecurity could trigger civil unrest if not urgently addressed. During a plenary session on Tuesday, some members of the House claimed insurgents were deploying more sophisticated arms and urged swift government intervention.
New National Security Framework in Motion.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu announced a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism efforts. Speaking in Minna, Niger State, Ribadu revealed that a new nationwide security strategy had been adopted, with a focus on eliminating both external and internal arms supply channels fueling insurgency.
The shift in policy, he noted, aims to enforce tighter border controls and intelligence operations to disrupt the trafficking of weapons into Nigeria.
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Support for Local Forces on the Frontlines.
Amid renewed violence in Borno State, Senator Ali Ndume called for the urgent arming of local vigilantes, hunters, and Civilian Joint Task Force members. This appeal followed the tragic killing of a military captain and a soldier by insurgents in Izge, Gwoza Local Government Area, on Tuesday.
Ndume urged the federal government to empower local security networks that have shown resilience and effectiveness in confronting terrorists on their own terrain.
Insurgents’ Drone Use Remains Limited.
Responding to concerns over drone use by terrorists, Badaru clarified that insurgents have only managed to deploy modified commercial drones, which are poorly equipped and largely ineffective compared to military-grade technology.
“They’re not using guided combat drones,” the minister said. “These are civilian drones retrofitted with improvised explosives — and they’ve achieved very little success. We’re intensifying our efforts to track and block the sources of these supplies.”
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Defence Industry Begins Local Manufacturing Push.
In a notable development, Badaru announced progress in the revitalization of Nigeria’s defence production ecosystem. According to him, 10 out of 53 companies affiliated with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) have commenced production of military gear and equipment, including drones, helmets, and aircraft components.
“We are targeting at least 20 operational companies by the end of the year, and by next year, we expect to start exporting locally-made military equipment,” he said.
The minister also revealed plans to utilize facilities in Ajaokuta to further support domestic defence manufacturing, signaling a long-term commitment to self-reliance in military hardware.
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Senate Security Summit: Symbolic, Not Strategic.
While commenting on the Senate’s proposed national security summit, Badaru maintained that while dialogue has value, tactical execution remains paramount.
“Summits can generate useful ideas, but the development and execution of a solid strategy is what truly matters,” he stated. “We’re already consulting former defence ministers and service chiefs to evaluate past and present security dynamics.”
