By Uche Onyeali, Abuja
Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has dismissed insinuations that terrorist groups wield superior fire power over Nigeria’s armed forces.
Badaru, who was responding to questions from journalists during the Seventh Ministerial Briefing Session in Abuja, yesterday said that the security agents possessed far superior weapons and technology than any terrorist group.
He also refuted concerns raised by members of the House of Representatives recently over the strength of terrorist factions, following a recent attack on a military installation in Giwa, Borno State.
The federal lawmaker makers had described the incident as evidence that Boko Haram insurgents were better equipped than the Nigerian troops tasked with tackling them.
However, Badaru emphasised that the challenge laid more on the insurgents’ irregular warfare tactics rather than military inferiority.
According to him, the current challenge is not a lack of firepower but rather the unpredictable tactics used by terrorists, often aided by informants within local communities.
The House of Representatives position that “the terrorists have better weapons than us is absolutely not true. We have much more sophisticated weapons and we have much more sophisticated drones.
“The issue is, this war is not a conventional war. It’s like a guerrilla war. They watch us, they have informants around us.
“They help the people that we try to protect, and they give them information, then they jump at us the way we don’t expect when they know that our surveillance mechanism is watching other directions.”
On the use of drones by terrorist groups, Badaru clarified that terror groups were using modified civilian drones and not weaponised or military-grade variants.
He assured that the military was doubling its intelligence efforts both locally and internationally to track and cut off their supply sources.
While providing update on domestic defence production, he noted that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, was gradually ramping up local production.
“Out of 53 companies operating within the complex, 10 have already begun producing military-grade hardware, including drones, aircraft components, and protective gear.
”Most of them are at various stages of constructing their factories.
”About 10 of these companies have already commenced production, including the manufacturing of drones, aircraft components, personal computers, helmets, safety vests, and other equipment.
“We are targeting at least 20 companies to be operational by the end of the year, and by next year, we aim to begin exporting.
“We are working to see if we can sustain a section in Ajaokuta that will support our efforts to make DICON more vibrant,” he added.
Earlier in his presentation at the briefing, Mohammed Badaru, said that the Lake Chad and the Sahel regions have remained focal points of insecurity as hotspots for Jihadist activities, with groups exploiting local grievances and state weaknesses.
He said the Lake Chad Basin, encompassing parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, had continue to face significant threats posed by the Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorist group.
He said that the Nigerian military had in the past years, intensified operations in the northeast, particularly through collaboration within the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, adding that they had significantly weakened Boko Haram and ISWAP strongholds.
“Several high-value targets have been neutralized, and dozens of captured territories have been reclaimed.
“In collaboration with our international partners, we have also enhanced intelligence sharing and deployed advanced surveillance technology in the Lake Chad region, improving our cross-border response capabilities.
“The instability in the Sahel has direct implications for Nigeria, especially in its northern regions.
“The Sahel, stretching across Africa south of the Sahara, faces escalating violence from armed Islamist groups.
“The formation of the Alliance of Sahel States by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, following their exit from ECOWAS, signifies a shift in regional security dynamics.
“However, analysts express concerns that these moves may further destabilise the region.
“Nigeria has had to respond strategically, balancing regional diplomacy with reinforced border security,” he said.
Badaru, said Nigeria had maintained its commitment to multilateral platforms while recalibrating its regional defence posture to address new alliances such as the Alliance of Sahel States.
He said that the future strategic plans of the government were focused towards the desired outcome that was expected to achieve certain parameters for enhanced national security.
These parameters, according to him, are geared towards ending insurgency and banditry in the Northeast and Northwest, respectively.
“Furthermore, these measures will also be a vehicle to curb pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the South-south and help to end separatist agitation in the Southeast for enhanced national security.
“These will be via modernisation of the armed forces through the acquisition of state-of-the-art technology equipment, continuous collaboration with MDAs, relevant security agencies, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders for sustained national security and development and continuous partnership with friendly nations to enhance national and regional security.
“There are ongoing review of National Defence Policy 2017; implementation of the provisions of Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service 2024 (officers and soldiers/ratings/airmen) and continued digitalisation and electronic content management system.
“It also include the increase in the strength of the armed forces through the enlistment of more officers and enhanced recruitment of soldiers, ratings and airmen/airwomen,” he said.
