Badaru insists military has more sophisticated weapons than terrorists

Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Defence, has countered claims by Ahmed Jaha, a member of the House of Representatives, that terrorist groups wield more sophisticated weapons than the country’s military.

A heated debate has emerged about the weapons used by Nigeria’s military versus those used by terrorist groups. Here’s what happened:

On Tuesday, Representative Ahmed Jaha claimed during a discussion about attacks on military bases that terrorists are using armed drones that the Nigerian Army doesn’t have.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Badaru strongly disagreed.

“Yesterday, the House of Representatives said that the terrorists have better weapons than us,” Badaru said.

That is absolutely not true. We have much more sophisticated weapons, and we have much more sophisticated drones.”

Badaru explained that the real problem isn’t about weapon quality. Instead, it’s about how terrorists use surprise tactics and often get information from locals.

He clarified that terrorists aren’t using military-grade drones, just modified civilian ones. He also promised that the military is working on tracking and stopping the supply of these weapons.

“The issue is this war is not a conventional war. It’s like a guerrilla war. They watch us; they have informants around us,” he added.

They help the people that we try to protect, and they give them information, then they jump at us the way we don’t expect when they know that our surveillance mechanism is watching other directions.”

Badaru mentioned that Nigeria is making progress on military equipment production. Ten out of 53 companies are now making military gear including drones, aircraft parts, and protective equipment.

“About 10 of these companies have already commenced production, including the manufacturing of drones, aircraft components, personal computers, helmets, safety vests, and other equipment.”