Defence Minister Rejects Claims of Terrorists’ Superior Weaponry, Senate Plans Security Summit
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, has dismissed claims by the House of Representatives that terrorists in Nigeria possess superior weaponry compared to the Nigerian Armed Forces. Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Abubakar described the assertions as “absolutely not true,” emphasizing that the military is better equipped with advanced arms, technology, and drones.
“This ministry affects everyone’s lives. The House claimed yesterday that terrorists have better weapons. That is not true. We have much more sophisticated equipment and drones,” Abubakar stated. He explained that the ongoing conflict involves guerrilla warfare, not conventional battles, with terrorists relying on informants and surprise attacks. “Our surveillance cannot cover every area at once, but that doesn’t mean they are better armed. We’ve recorded successes because we are more advanced,” he added.
The minister’s remarks addressed concerns raised by the House of Representatives on Tuesday about the resurgence of terrorist attacks, particularly in Borno and Yobe states. Lawmakers cited a deadly ambush on a military facility in Giwa, Borno, as evidence of insurgents’ firepower, expressing alarm over the growing threat from Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Abubakar also refuted claims that terrorists are using armed drones, clarifying, “What we’ve seen are basic, commercial drones modified with explosives—improvised devices, not military-grade drones with strategic capabilities.” He highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering, including arrests of arms traffickers in collaboration with the National Security Adviser and global partners to curb illicit arms flows.
Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday resolved to convene a two-day national security summit in Abuja to address emerging threats. An ad hoc committee was tasked with organizing the event, which will involve federal, state, and local governments, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders. The summit aims to enhance intelligence sharing, promote community-based security models, and draft a National Security Action Document for reforms. Despite some lawmakers questioning the effectiveness of past summits, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed immediate preparations.
Welcoming the planned summits by both legislative chambers, Abubakar stressed the importance of actionable strategies. “Summits are helpful, but implementation of strategies addressing the root causes and changing dynamics of insecurity is critical,” he said.
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