FG Insists Terrorists Not Better Armed than Nigerian Soldiers

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Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, at the 7th Ministerial Press Briefing on Wednesday, May 7. reaffirmed that terrorists and bandits in the Northern part of Nigeria are not better armed than Nigerian soldiers as alleged by the House of Representatives during plenary on Tuesday, May 6.

The House of Representatives had on Tuesday alleged that Boko Haram insurgents were better armed than Nigerian Military, and this showed in a recent deadly attack on a military facility in Giwa, Borno State.

“Yesterday, (Senate) and House of Representatives said that the terrorists have better weapons than us. 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’s like a guerrilla war.

“They watch us, they have informants around us. They help the people that we try to protect. And they give them information. And they jump at us the way we don’t expect when they know that our surveillance mechanism is watching in some directions, because we cannot cover our own area.

“So that is it, because they don’t have more equipment than us. We have much more. We have much more sophisticated equipment.”

On the allegation by the lawmakers that terrorists are using sophisticated armed drones, he said, “They’re not using armed drones with strategic guidance. They are using civilian drones with 2kg bombs. We are doubling our intelligence efforts, both locally and internationally, to track and cut off supply sources,”

On local production of arms and ammunition, Baduru revealed that domestic defence production capability was up.

“We are working to see if we can sustain a section in Ajaokuta that will support our efforts to make DICON more vibrant.

“Currently, with the support of the President, the Governor (of Kogi), and the Chief of Defence Staff. DICON 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 export”.

The Senate had called for a security summit to address the recent upsurge in the activities of the terrorists. Badaru was asked between strategy and summit which is more important in the security architecture?

“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.”

Ali Ndume, Senator representing Borno South, told journalists in Abuja that 252 Boko Haram attacks occurred from November 2024 to April 2025, and led to the death of 100 soldiers and 280 civilians, totaling 380 casualties.

He said the military needs MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles which costs about $1billion each to support its counter insurgency operations.

Ndume revealed that efforts were being made to free three communities in Borno State being currently administered by Boko Haram terrorists.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in his remarks had appealed to media professionals to refrain from granting undue publicity to terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the country.

“The media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, have a crucial role to play in supporting our military’s morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices, we must deny these groups the undue publicity they crave. We must take them off the front pages and accurately report them as the criminals they are without glorifying their acts or giving credence to their false narratives.

“These are not freedom fighters; they are murderers, kidnappers, and destroyers, and they must be presented as such.”

Highlighting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its pillar on Strengthening National Security for Peace and Prosperity, Idris said the Federal Government is actively investing in military capacity through the acquisition of modern equipment, enhanced intelligence, and strategic partnerships.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas, in his briefing, revealed that Nigeria has planted four million trees between 2023 and 2025 in the implementation of the Great Green Wall Project to check desertification in the North.

He also said the government was tackling plastic and e-waste and speeding up the remediation of polluted environments in Ogoni land in Rivers State.