Boko Haram’s Use of Drones to Attack Military Bases Sparks Fears of Escalating Airborne Terror Threat

ByEditor

Oct 24, 2025 #armed drones, #Babagana Zulum, #Boko Haram, #Borno, #counterterrorism, #Drone Attack, #Insurgency, #military bases, #National Security, #Nigeria air defence, #Operation Hadin Kai, #Terrorism, #Yobe

Malik Yahya/

Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts may be facing a new and dangerous frontier after Boko Haram reportedly deployed a drone to attack military formations in Borno and Yobe states, raising fears of an alarming technological shift in the group’s tactics.

The incident, confirmed during Governor Babagana Zulum’s visit to Mafa town on Friday, marked the first time insurgents were said to have used drones to target Nigerian troops, marking an escalation that security experts warn could redefine the country’s war against terror.

According to military sources, troops of the Joint Task Force, North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, repelled coordinated attacks last Thursday in Katarko village, Yobe State, and in Mafa, Gajibo, and Dikwa local government areas of Borno State, killing more than 50 terrorists and recovering a cache of weapons.

However, what shocked authorities was the reported deployment of surveillance or combat drones by the militants, suggesting growing access to sophisticated warfare technology once limited to state actors.

Zulum, visibly alarmed, called for an urgent and comprehensive review of Nigeria’s air defence and safety mechanisms to prevent what he described as “a frightening evolution of threats.”

“One thing I want to comment on is the issue of drones. This is frightening. In Dikwa, I was told drones were used,” Zulum told journalists. “The proliferation of drones, particularly in the hands of non-state actors, is of great concern for the entire country. We must do something to stop the rampant use of armed drones.”

Security analysts say the use of drones by Boko Haram could enable long-range surveillance, precision attacks on military assets, and heightened risk to civilian areas.

It also exposes vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s airspace security and raises questions about how terrorist groups are acquiring such technologies.

Zulum warned that the threat extends far beyond Borno, describing it as a “direct challenge to Nigeria’s national security architecture.”

He urged federal authorities to strengthen border surveillance, improve radar coverage, and invest in counter-drone systems to prevent similar attacks.

While commending troops for their resilience, he called for stronger civilian collaboration through intelligence sharing and vigilance by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

“There is a need for state and federal governments, alongside the military high command, to identify gaps and address them. There might be sabotage within, which must be identified and resolved. We must work together rather than blame each other,” Zulum added.