The security situation in Nigeria, particularly in the North-Eastern region, has worsened, with Boko Haram adopting more sophisticated tactics, including the use of weaponized drones. This revelation came on Tuesday during a heated debate in the House of Representatives, with lawmakers from Borno State raising serious concerns over the resurgence of insurgent activities in the region.
Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno), representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, warned the House that Boko Haram’s operations have become more advanced and deadly, citing the deployment of armed drones in attacks. He claimed that the Nigerian military is no longer able to match the insurgents’ new weapons, which he witnessed firsthand.
“I have seen it. Nobody told me. I was there,” Jaha told the House, describing the deadly use of drones that have made Boko Haram a more formidable force than in the past. He cited several recent attacks, including the killing of 10 farmers in Pulka and 14 in Chibok, as evidence of the insurgency’s growing brutality.
Jaha called for urgent action, pointing out that despite the Nigerian government’s expenditure of N19.7 trillion on security between 2015 and 2019, Boko Haram’s resurgence is more severe than ever. He urged the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that Nigeria does not revert to the days when the insurgents controlled large swaths of territory.
In support of Jaha’s claims, another lawmaker from Borno, Zainab Gimba (APC), confirmed the use of weaponized drones in recent attacks, and added that foreign fighters were involved. Gimba, who represents Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge Federal Constituency, shared the shocking news of a Boko Haram ambush on a multinational force base in her constituency, which resulted in the deaths of 20 soldiers.
“There were several white men among the insurgents,” Gimba revealed, pointing to the increasing presence of foreign mercenaries in the conflict. She also criticized the positioning of military formations within cities, particularly highlighting the recent fire at the Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, which spread panic before any official explanations were provided.
As the debate intensified, Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) called for a major reform in Nigeria’s security laws to allow citizens to defend themselves against insurgent attacks. Ali argued that security forces are stretched thin and unable to navigate the difficult terrain of the northeastern region.
“Our people are being killed day by day. I want this House to come up with another idea to deal with our people. We have to think about how to create a law that will allow our people to protect themselves,” Ali said, echoing concerns that the military’s current capacity is insufficient to provide security for local communities.
Meanwhile, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) expressed disappointment over the lack of results from the federal government’s hefty spending on security. Benson called for drastic measures to address the insurgency, stating that the current strategy is not yielding the expected outcomes. He emphasized the need for targeted actions that could deliver tangible results on the ground.
In addition to the debate on Boko Haram’s resurgence, the House also addressed the recent fire at Giwa Barracks’ armory in Maiduguri. The fire, which occurred without any clear explanation, raised concerns about the safety of military installations and the level of preparedness to prevent future occurrences.
The House resolved to investigate the cause of the fire and report back to prevent similar incidents. They also agreed to conduct a thorough review of security measures at military installations, with the aim of improving safety protocols and preventing future breaches.
The lawmakers’ resolve to address these issues comes amid escalating concerns that Boko Haram is evolving in terms of tactics, weaponry, and foreign support. With these developments, the security landscape in the northeast seems to be growing more complex, requiring urgent and robust intervention from both the government and local communities.
