Nigerian Military To Trace, Block Terrorist Drones – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that steps are ongoing to prevent the use of drones by terrorists in the country to launch or coordinate attacks.

This was revealed on Friday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja during a press conference.

According to him, the military is working with other government agencies to curb the use of drones by terrorists, and the discussions have reached an advanced stage.

Naija News reports that Onoja made the disclosure in response to reports that in recent months, terrorists operating in the North-East have increasingly deployed sophisticated drones in attacks on civilians and security personnel.

The DHQ spokesperson, however, assured that measures were being taken in collaboration with relevant agencies to identify the sources of the drones and stop their deployment by non-state actors.

“We have reached an advanced stage in taking measures, in conjunction with other Federal Government agencies, to trace where these drones are coming from. I believe that in the next couple of days or months, concrete action will emerge on what we intend to do,” he said.

He added that agencies with the capacity to prevent the use of drones were already involved and that decisive steps would be taken soon.

“The agencies that have the capacity to prevent the use of drones have been contacted, and we believe that action will be taken very soon on that,” Onoja said.

On allegations that some soldiers at checkpoints in Bauchi State were being compelled to remit weekly sums to their commanders, Onoja said the claims remained allegations, but due investigations would be carried out if details were provided.