Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru has dismissed claims of military inferiority, saying armed forces have superior weapons and technology.
Badaru said this during a Ministerial Press briefing at the National Press Centre, Abuja, on Wednesday.
He rebutted recent claims by federal lawmakers that terrorists have the upper hand over military troops, following a recent attack on a military base in Borno.
The lawmakers had claimed that the attacks showed Boko Haram and ISWAP were better equipped than Nigeria’s troops.
But the minister attributed the attacks to terrorists’ irregular warfare tactics aided by local informants, not military inferiority.
Badaru said, “Yesterday, the House of Representatives said that the terrorists have better weapons than we. That is not true. That is absolutely not true. We have much more sophisticated weapons, and we have much more sophisticated drones.
“The issue is, this war is not a conventional war. It is like a guerrilla war. They watch us, they have information around us. They help the people that we try to protect. And they give them information. And they jump at us in a way we don’t expect.
“And when they know that our surveillance mechanism is watching in some direction, because we cannot cover our area. So that is it, because they don’t have more equipment than us. We have much more. We have much more sophisticated equipment. And that is one of the sources that I just mentioned.”
Badaru said the use of drones by terrorists was no cause for alarm, as they were civilian drones modified for surveillance, not military-grade or weaponised drones.
On a proposed national security summit, Badaru acknowledged its potential benefits but emphasised that effective strategies are key to improving security.
“They are not using armed drones with strategic guidance. But we are doubling our intelligence efforts, both locally and internationally, to track and cut off supply sources,” he said.
“On the summit, yes, strategy is far more important than the summit. But the summit will give you some inputs for the strategy. When you hold a summit, you have people who talk. We take what they expect, and we go back to design or renew our strategy.
“And then the Chief of Defence Staff gives operational orders based on the strategy they developed. So what the National Assembly is trying to do, maybe, is to bring people together to discuss issues. You hear a lot.
“I visited most of the past defence ministers. I visited most of the past service chiefs to discuss issues of security during their time and what we see today, and how we do. And I’m sure the service chiefs also do the same. So the summit can help, but the strategy is much more important.”
Badaru said 10 of 53 companies under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) have started producing military hardware, including drones, aircraft parts, and protective gear, as part of efforts towards self-sufficiency.
“We are working to see if we can sustain a section in Ajaokuta that will support our efforts to make DICON more vibrant,” Badaru said.
“Currently, with the support of the President, the Governor, and the Chief of Defence Staff, DICON— as many of you know — is hosting 53 companies. Most of them are at various stages of constructing their factories. About 10 of these companies have already commenced production, including the manufacturing of drones, aircraft components, personal computers, helmets, safety vests, and other equipment.
“So far, 10 have begun production, and we are targeting at least 20 companies to be operational by the end of the year. By next year, we aim to begin exporting.”
