Zulum Boko Haram drone attack sparks alarm as Borno Governor urges urgent review of Nigeria’s airspace and stronger counter-drone measures.
Zulum Boko Haram Drone Attack reports have unsettled Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who expressed shock that Boko Haram terrorists successfully used drones to target soldiers in the state despite prior intelligence warnings.
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Governor Zulum made the remarks on Friday during a post-assessment visit to Mafa town, which came under attack by insurgents in the early hours of Thursday.
Speaking to journalists, Zulum described the use of armed drones by non-state actors as “frightening” and a grave threat to national security, calling for immediate federal intervention to strengthen Nigeria’s airspace defences.
“Honestly speaking, we had credible intelligence that Mafa would be attacked, and it was duly circulated to all relevant authorities,” he said. “There is a need for us — both state and federal governments, alongside the military high command — to identify the gaps and address them directly.”
The governor suggested that possible sabotage within the security system could have contributed to the breach, urging cooperation rather than blame among agencies.
“One thing I want to comment on is the issue of drones. In Dikwa, I was told drones were used. The proliferation of drones, particularly in the hands of non-state actors, is of great concern for the entire country,” Zulum said.
He emphasised that the incident was not limited to Borno State but reflected a broader national security vulnerability, calling on the Federal Government to conduct a comprehensive review of the nation’s airspace and border security.
“Our borders need to be strengthened, and our airspace needs to be secured. This is the right time for the security architecture to enhance its capabilities to curtail the use of armed drones by terrorists,” he said.
While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts, Zulum urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies. “We are here to commiserate with the victims and to build confidence among our people,” he noted.
He also called on members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to remain resilient and continue complementing the efforts of the military.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian military confirmed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed more than 50 terrorists after repelling multiple coordinated attacks across Borno and Yobe States.
According to Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East (OPHK), the simultaneous assaults occurred between midnight and 4:00 a.m. on Thursday in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko.
“The combined ground and air efforts resulted in the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations,” Uba said, commending troops for their professionalism and renewed operational vigour.
Also read: ‘Terrorist guidelines’ Governor Zulum makes recommendations to defeat Boko Haram
Governor Zulum’s remarks underscore the growing concern over the use of emerging technology in insurgency, a challenge that could redefine Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy if left unchecked.
Source: Read more at channelstv.com
Ibrahim Onipede is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
