Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, declared that the country’s military weaponry surpasses that of terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, operating in the Northeast and Northwest.
Speaking at a security conference in Abuja, Badaru attributed recent military successes to acquisitions of advanced equipment, including drones, fighter jets, and armored vehicles, funded through a $2.8 billion defense budget in 2024. He claimed Nigeria’s arsenal, bolstered by international partnerships, has shifted the balance against insurgents who rely on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and small arms.
The minister highlighted operations like Operation Hadin Kai, which neutralized over 2,500 insurgents in 2024, and the procurement of 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters from the U.S., expected by 2026. He also noted the deployment of locally developed drones and the refurbishment of Mi-35P attack helicopters. Badaru emphasized improved intelligence-sharing with regional allies through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF), which has disrupted terrorist supply chains. In 2024, the military reclaimed 15 communities in Borno and Yobe, though 2.6 million people remain displaced.
Despite the claims, critics point to persistent challenges, including corruption in defense procurement and inadequate welfare for troops. Boko Haram’s use of drones for reconnaissance, reported in 2024, suggests technological adaptation. Nigeria’s military faces over 100,000 insurgents across multiple fronts, with 1,200 civilian deaths in 2024. Badaru vowed to sustain modernization, aiming for zero insurgent-controlled territories by 2027, but analysts stress the need for non-military solutions, like addressing poverty and youth radicalization, to complement Nigeria’s firepower.