Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, faulted claims by the House of Representatives that terrorists are better equipped than the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He said the Armed Forces were able to neutralise 13,543 terrorists and criminals between May 2023 and May 2025.
A member of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Jaha, had revealed that Boko Haram insurgents were now using drones and more sophisticated equipment to carry out attacks on residents of Borno State.
Jaha stated that the weapons used by the terrorists were more advanced than those possessed by the Nigerian military.
However, the Defence Minister, while speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, described such claims as “absolutely not true,” insisting that the military was better equipped both in terms of arms and technology.
“This ministry is a very interesting one because it affects the lives of everyone. Yesterday, the House of Representatives said that terrorists have better weapons than we do.
“That is absolutely not true. We have much more sophisticated equipment and drones.”
“This war is not a conventional one; it’s more like guerrilla warfare. They monitor us, they have informants within the communities we are trying to protect, and they strike unexpectedly.
“Our surveillance cannot cover every area at once, but that doesn’t mean they are better armed. We are more advanced in terms of equipment, and that’s why we’ve recorded successes,” he added.
The Minister said a total of 17,469 suspects were also arrested within the same period.
He added that while 9,821 hostages were rescued, 124,408 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists surrendered.
Abubakar further announced recovery of 11,118 weapons and 252,596 assorted ammunition.
He said the Armed Forces had recorded tremendous success, including liberating several areas hitherto under the control of terrorists, as well as restoring sanity on several highways.