The Defence Headquarters has said it is working with other Federal Government agencies to trace and curb the use of drones by terrorists, noting that investigations have reached an advanced stage.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while reeling out recent military successes.
In recent months, terrorists operating in the North-East have increasingly deployed sophisticated drones in attacks on civilians and security personnel, escalating concerns over the evolving tactics of the insurgents.
The use of advanced drone technology by terrorist groups has raised questions among security experts and the public about how the weapons are being sourced and the channels through which they are entering the country.
Speaking on the matter, Onoja said measures were being taken in collaboration with relevant agencies to identify the sources of the drones and stop their deployment by non-state actors.
According to him, concrete actions are expected to emerge in the coming days or months.
“We have reached an advanced stage in taking measures, in conjunction with other Federal Government agencies, to trace where these drones are coming from. I believe that in the next couple of days or months, concrete action will emerge on what we intend to do,” he said.
He added that agencies with the capacity to prevent the use of drones were already involved and that decisive steps would be taken soon.
“The agencies that have capacity to prevent the use of drones have been contacted and we believe that action will be taken very soon on that,” Onoja said.
Responding to questions on allegations circulating on social media that soldiers at checkpoints in Bauchi State were being compelled to remit weekly sums to their commanders, Onoja said the claims remained allegations.
He said the military is a transparent institution and assured all that investigations would be carried out if details were provided.
“If the allegations are found to be true, necessary action will be taken,” he said.
On the return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon, Onoja said the development reflected the success of military operations in restoring security to affected communities.
“The military, in conjunction with the Federal Government, has tried all within its capacity to ensure the necessary security in those areas,” he said, adding that the return of refugees was a measure of operational success.
Onoja also provided an update on operations in the North-East under the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, noting that troops sustained operational momentum by denying Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad terrorists freedom of action.
He said ground forces, working in conjunction with the Air Component, hybrid forces and local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre, neutralising several terrorists, arresting informants and logistics suppliers, recovering weapons and dismantling terrorist networks.
“During the month, troops conducted operations against terrorists in Gwoza, Damboa, Mobbar, Askira Uba and Konduga LGAs of Borno State. Similar operations were conducted in Michika and Damaturu LGAs of Adamawa and Yobe states respectively. During the encounters, scores of the terrorists were neutralised, 17 of them were arrested, while 12 kidnapped victims were rescued. The suspects and weapons recovered are in troops’ custody for further action,” he said.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to distress calls on terrorist activities, conducting offensive operations across Plateau and parts of Kaduna State.
According to Onoja, scores of extremists were neutralised during the firefights, 86 other criminals were arrested and 24 kidnapped victims rescued, while arms and ammunition were recovered.
DHQ, others to trace, stop terrorists’ drone attacks
