Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has called for a strategic shift towards counter-drone operations and community-centred intelligence as the military recalibrates its response to recent bombings and attacks in Borno State.
General Oluyede made the call while addressing journalists in Maiduguri on arrival in the state, alongside service chiefs, following the recent surge in violent incidents.
The Defence Chief attributed the renewed attacks to a combination of seasonal patterns, local complicity, and the evolving tactics of terrorist groups, noting that insurgents are increasingly deploying technology, including drones, to carry out attacks.
He stressed the need for the Armed Forces to adapt swiftly by strengthening counter-drone capabilities and enhancing intelligence gathering at the community level to effectively track and neutralise threats.
General Oluyede also underscored the importance of collaboration between security agencies and local communities, urging residents “to provide timely and credible information that would aid ongoing military operations.”
He reassured Nigerians of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in the North-East, stressing that renewed strategies are being implemented to decisively confront insurgency and safeguard lives and property.
“The attacks, while concerning, are not unprecedented and tend to intensify during the Ramadan period,” the CDS said, outlining the Armed Forces’ ongoing assessment and response measures during the media briefing.
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He explained that his visit to the theatre, alongside Service Chiefs, aimed at drawing operational lessons and ensuring that recent incidents do not recur.
He noted that the insurgency has persisted for over a decade and requires sustained adaptation in both strategy and execution.
General Oluyede emphasised that local dynamics remain central to the conflict, warning that community-level complicity continues to enable terrorist operations.
“Many perpetrators are known within affected communities,” he noted, citing instances where wounded insurgents were traced back to local populations following attacks, underscoring the need for residents to take ownership of the security challenge.
General Oluyede said that “the military’s gains in reclaiming territory and restoring relative stability are being tested by a shift in insurgent tactics, particularly the growing use of drones and other emerging technologies to conduct attacks.”
“The Armed Forces are responding by deploying countermeasures, including drone-jamming systems, while studying adversary technologies to strengthen operational resilience,” he said.
The CDS further indicated that ongoing efforts include the acquisition of additional counter-drone capabilities and investments in research and development aimed at neutralising evolving threats, while maintaining pressure on insurgent networks across the theatre.
General Oluyede reaffirmed that the military remains committed to consolidating territorial gains and preventing a resurgence of large-scale attacks, stressing that success will depend not only on battlefield effectiveness but also on strengthened collaboration between security forces and local communities.