Military Prepared to Counter Drone Attacks by Terrorists, Says Air Commander

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian military has said it was adequately prepared to counter drone attacks by terrorist groups whenever they acquired cutting-edge weapons, such as drone technology.

The Air Component Commander of Operation Udo Ka, Air Commodore Dooyum Laha, said this while briefing defence correspondents on a biannual media tour of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation Udo Ka, in Enugu.

Represented by Operation Officer, Squadron Leader Larry Azih, the Air Component Commander said the challenges affecting their operations in the South-east included poor weather conditions, congested terrain, as well as the limited availability of ISR platforms.

ISR platforms, he said, were in high demand because of ongoing operations across all theatres of operation, especially in the North.

He, however, noted that the military was leveraging technology to overcome these challenges.

“We have imaging technology that can detect the location of these criminals hiding under the canopies of shrubs in the rainforest. We are also using signal GPS technology and mastering the terrain. We are using a mixed strategy to surmount these identified challenges.

“It is no longer news that drone technology has gotten into the hands of terrorists all over the world. They are actively making use of this technology, and it is only a matter of time before it gets here.

“Luckily, the Armed Forces have taken proactive steps. We have made efforts to acquire anti-drone technology that can easily destabilise the plans of terrorists to attack troops with drones.

“As the enemies migrate to the use of drone technology, we are also prepared to beat them to the game. Technically, that has already been taken care of. The Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces generally are taking proactive steps to counter the use of drones by terrorist groups.”