The Nigerian military has raised the alarm over a dangerous shift in insurgent tactics following the discovery that ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters are now converting commercial photography drones into improvised aerial weapons.
The breakthrough follows a high-stakes counter-terrorism operation in the Malam Fatori axis of Borno State. A coordinated decoy ambush by Nigerian troops resulted in the neutralisation of 86 insurgents, including two high-ranking ISWAP commanders.
Beyond the battlefield victory, security sources told *PRNigeria* that troops recovered a “treasure trove” of intelligence. Seized items include technical manuals for drone modification, handwritten operational maps, and mobile phones currently undergoing forensic analysis.
Intelligence gathered from these materials has reportedly linked the evolving drone tactics to a network of external sponsors and foreign technical collaborators. “We are tracing the supply chains and financial backers driving this technological shift,” a military source stated.
In response to the aerial threat, the military has deployed electronic warfare tools, including frequency jamming technology, to neutralize hostile drones mid-air. This domestic effort is being bolstered by international support. The United States has reportedly deployed multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones and 200 personnel to a base in Bauchi State to provide surveillance and intelligence fusion, though officials stressed the U.S. role remains strictly non-combat.
