The Federal Government has refuted claims by the House of Representatives that Boko Haram insurgents possess more sophisticated weapons than Nigeria’s military, describing the allegation as “absolutely not true.”
Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, asserted that Nigeria’s armed forces are better equipped and more technologically advanced than terrorist groups. He clarified that while insurgents have improvised civilian-grade drones, these pose limited threat compared to the military’s advanced capabilities.
“Contrary to the narrative, our armed forces have far more sophisticated drones and equipment. This is not a conventional war — it’s guerrilla warfare, with terrorists often aided by informants within communities,” he said.
This response followed Tuesday’s plenary, where members of the House of Representatives warned that the continued escalation of insecurity could spark a citizens’ revolt.
Badaru also downplayed the value of the Senate’s proposed national security summit, emphasizing that refining military strategy is more impactful. “While summits offer valuable input, what we truly need is renewed, focused strategy,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu disclosed in Minna, Niger State, that the federal government has adopted a new, comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism and the influx of illicit arms. Ribadu, represented by DIG Johnson Kokumo (retd), spoke during the commissioning of the North-Central Zonal Office of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
He described the move as a clear demonstration of government’s renewed resolve to disrupt the flow of illegal firearms fueling banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.
Also weighing in, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), called on the government and military to arm local vigilantes and Civilian Joint Task Force members. This appeal followed the killing of a military captain and a soldier in an ambush by insurgents in Izge, Borno State.
Ndume praised local hunters who repelled the attack and killed three insurgents, insisting their efforts could yield more success if they are properly equipped. “These volunteers risk their lives without pay. With adequate weapons, they can significantly support the military,” he stated.
In a related development, Plateau State Police Command recovered 500 rounds of live ammunition from a criminal hideout in Jos. Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, revealed that the discovery followed intelligence-led operations in the wake of rising violence in the region.
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, also urged the media to avoid amplifying the propaganda of terrorists and criminals, stressing the role of responsible reporting in national security.
“The media must refrain from giving undue publicity to these criminal groups. They thrive on fear and misinformation. Let’s report their crimes without glorifying their acts,” he said during the Ministerial Press Briefing Series.
The federal government reaffirmed its commitment to equipping security agencies, strengthening intelligence networks, and advancing local defence manufacturing. Ten of 53 companies at the Defence Industrial Complex (DICON) have already begun producing drones, aircraft components, and other equipment, with plans to expand operations and begin exports by 2026.
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