Boko Haram insurgents have intensified their campaign in Nigeria’s Borno State by deploying armed drones, a development that has raised serious concerns among security officials and local communities. The use of these drones, similar to those seen in conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, marks a new phase in the group’s tactics and has complicated the efforts of the Nigerian military to restore peace in the region.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Boko Haram launched coordinated assaults on military bases in Rann, Gajiram, and Dikwa, resulting in the deaths of at least four soldiers and injuries to several others. Security sources confirmed that while the military successfully repelled attacks in Dikwa and Gajiram, the base in Rann was overrun after hours of intense fighting. The insurgents looted weapons and set military vehicles ablaze before retreating when air support arrived.
These attacks come on the heels of another deadly incident in Marte, where an unspecified number of soldiers were killed and others remain missing. The recent surge in violence has left both military personnel and civilians on edge, with local officials urging for increased vigilance and support for the armed forces.
Military sources revealed that Boko Haram’s recent successes are partly due to their use of drones for surveillance and precision strikes. “The terrorists are now having a field day because they are using sophisticated technology. It is becoming much easier for the terrorists to attack with precision because they have drones, just the way it happened yesterday,” one intelligence source said.
The Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to defeating terrorism, highlighting recent successes in neutralizing over 20 insurgents and reclaiming territory. However, officials acknowledge that the influx of weapons from neighboring Sahel countries and the adoption of new tactics by insurgents have complicated the fight.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the renewed violence and expressed sympathy for the families of victims, including civilians killed in recent improvised explosive device (IED) attacks. He reaffirmed the state’s support for military and local volunteer forces, emphasizing the need for unity and vigilance.
Security experts and lawmakers have called on the military high command to deploy more personnel and modern technology to the North East. Dr. Kamar Hamza, a security analyst, stressed the importance of intelligence-driven operations, noting that insurgents have adapted by targeting military installations to seize weapons and using guerrilla tactics to evade capture.
The Nigerian Senate has also urged the military to review its strategies and equip troops with advanced technology to counter the evolving threat.
Despite recent setbacks, the Nigerian military maintains that normalcy is gradually returning to the North East, with thousands of internally displaced persons returning to their communities. However, the emergence of armed drones in the hands of insurgents signals a need for continued vigilance, technological upgrades, and stronger collaboration between the military and local communities to secure lasting peace.
