The Defence Headquarters says it is working closely with other federal agencies to track and stop the use of drones by terrorist groups, as investigations into the source of the devices progress.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on recent military operations across the country.
In recent months, insurgent groups operating mainly in the North-East have increasingly deployed drones in attacks against civilians and security forces, raising concerns over the sophistication of their tactics and the channels through which such equipment enters the country.
Addressing the issue, Onoja said the military, in collaboration with relevant government agencies, had reached an advanced stage in efforts to identify how the drones were being sourced and to prevent their use by non-state actors.
He noted that agencies with the technical capacity to counter drone operations had already been engaged, adding that concrete measures were expected to be implemented in the coming weeks.
Onoja also reacted to claims circulating on social media alleging that soldiers manning checkpoints in Bauchi State were required to remit weekly payments to their commanders, describing the reports as unverified.
He said the military remained a transparent institution and assured that investigations would be carried out if credible information was provided, stressing that appropriate action would be taken should the allegations prove true.
On the return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon, Onoja said the development reflected improved security in affected areas, attributing the progress to sustained military operations in collaboration with other government institutions.
Providing an update on operations in the North-East under Operation Hadin Kai, he said troops had continued to maintain pressure on Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad fighters, denying them freedom of movement.
According to him, ground troops, supported by air assets, hybrid forces and local security groups, carried out coordinated operations across several local government areas in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. The operations, he said, led to the neutralisation of several terrorists, the arrest of suspected informants and logistics suppliers, the rescue of kidnapped victims and the recovery of weapons.
He added that similar operations were conducted in Plateau State under Operation Enduring Peace, where troops responded to distress calls and engaged armed groups across parts of Plateau and neighbouring Kaduna State.
During the operations, Onoja said several extremists were neutralised, dozens of suspects arrested and kidnapped victims rescued, while arms and ammunition were recovered.
