Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has raised alarm over the growing use of sophisticated technology by insurgents, warning that Nigeria’s military remains ill-equipped to counter such advancements on the battlefield.
Speaking during an interview on News Central TV’s One-on-One with Zulum, the governor emphasized the urgent need for a more technologically advanced and better-resourced military, calling on both federal and state governments to prioritize security spending and adopt a united approach to combating insurgency.
“The Army does not have the necessary equipment on the ground to effectively fight the insurgents,” Zulum stated. “And I want to inform you that right now, these insurgents are using technology to fight soldiers.”
Zulum disclosed that he recently met with the Chief of Army Staff, who highlighted the military’s urgent need for drone technology to improve surveillance and combat capabilities. “He told me he’s looking to acquire 32 drones to help end the insurgency. Each drone costs about $5.5 million. So why can’t we, as a nation, pull our resources together and invest in this?” he queried.
He criticized the current procurement process for military hardware and software, calling for more transparent, government-to-government transactions to ensure accountability and efficiency.
“If we deal directly with other governments, we’ll get better value for money. Most of these contractors don’t deliver the equipment even after receiving payments,” Zulum lamented.
According to him, Nigeria’s fight against insurgency has been hampered by politicization, inadequate coordination between levels of government, and poor investment in critical technology and military assets.
“If we truly want to end this madness, we can. With the right will and collaboration, the crisis can be resolved in six months,” he declared. “Federal and state governments must come together and treat security as the top priority, not a political issue. The Federal Government needs to listen to us on the frontlines.”
Governor Zulum’s remarks reflect growing concerns among frontline states about the widening gap between the capabilities of insurgents and the operational resources available to Nigerian security forces. His call to action reinforces the need for a coordinated, well-funded, and tech-driven strategy to finally turn the tide against insurgency in Nigeria’s troubled northeast.
