Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum recently warned that Boko Haram has begun using drones to launch attacks in parts of the North-East, including Dikwa. This alarming development shows that the insurgents now possess technologies once reserved for state militaries, raising fears that they may be more advanced than Nigeria’s own security forces.
Boko Haram’s use of sophisticated weapons is not new. Since 2013, the group has smuggled rocket launchers, RPGs, and anti-aircraft missiles through porous borders, often capturing military hardware after overrunning bases.
Reports confirm that the group and its ISWAP faction continue to grow in strength, exploiting the weaknesses of Nigeria’s overstretched and poorly equipped military.
This situation exposes a troubling reality: while insurgents adapt and modernize, the Nigerian state appears unprepared. Weak border control, corruption in arms procurement, and poor coordination have left the country vulnerable to non-state actors with advanced capabilities.
Yet, even as these threats intensify, many politicians are fixated on elections and power struggles. Instead of addressing national security, they focus on party primaries and campaign battles. This neglect reflects a deep moral failure — a leadership more concerned with political survival than national defence.
The use of drones by Boko Haram should be a national alarm bell. Nigeria’s leaders must urgently rethink security strategy, strengthen the military, and invest in intelligence technology. If the political elite continue their distractions while insurgents advance, Nigeria risks being outgunned and out governed by the very militants it once underestimated.
