Defence Minister Slams Reps, Says Military Better Equipped Than Terrorists
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badru Abubakar, has dismissed claims by some federal lawmakers that terrorists are better equipped than the Nigerian military, describing the allegation as misleading and unfounded.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Radio House in Abuja, the minister defended the capabilities of the armed forces, insisting that no terrorist group possesses the level of firepower or sophistication that the Nigerian military commands.
Abubakar said, “It is not true that terrorists have more advanced equipment or better drones than our armed forces. What we’re facing is a situation where these criminals rely on improvised weapons and are being aided by fifth columnists who feed them intelligence to avoid detection.”
He noted that the Ministry of Defence is ramping up efforts to trace the sources of drones and other support systems being used by terrorists, assuring Nigerians that progress is being made in weakening insurgent networks.
“We are steadily defeating them. Our military is far more sophisticated in terms of both manpower and equipment. These claims that terrorists are more advanced are not only demoralizing to our troops, but also factually wrong,” Abubakar stressed.
The minister also responded to the National Assembly’s recent call for a national security summit, arguing that while such forums are helpful, the country also needs practical strategies and stronger coordination to tackle insecurity.
Abubakar emphasized that the security situation has significantly improved since the current administration came into office in 2023. However, he cautioned that terrorism is a global issue and not unique to Nigeria.
On military preparedness, he disclosed that the ministry is currently working with 53 local companies to produce and supply equipment, with at least ten of them already delivering gear to boost the military’s operational capacity.
The minister’s comments come amid heightened concerns from lawmakers over recent attacks in the Northeast. On Tuesday, during plenary, Rep. Ahmed Satomi (APC, Borno) raised a motion of urgent public importance following a fire incident at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri and renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe States.
Satomi recounted how, on May 1, 2025, fire broke out in the military base—an incident attributed to “friendly fire” by the military—triggering explosions due to the heat and ammunition stored at the site.
He warned of an alarming resurgence in terrorist activities and expressed concern over the loss of soldiers and the boldness of Boko Haram fighters.
Supporting the motion, Rep. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) claimed that insurgents were operating with greater firepower, including weaponized drones, brand new motorcycles, and AK-47 rifles, posing a grave threat to both civilians and military personnel.
“What we’re seeing in Borno is dangerous. These insurgents are coming back stronger. They are better armed, and we can no longer pretend all is well,” Jaha told the House.
Adding to the debate, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) called on the National Assembly to hold relevant government agencies accountable for lapses in security.
“Nigerians are being killed every day. If this continues, citizens may begin to turn their anger on us as leaders. We must act before it’s too late,” he warned.
Despite these concerns, the Defence Minister maintained that the military remains the superior force and is fully committed to reclaiming every community held by terrorists.
“We will not relent. We will liberate every inch of this country from the grip of terrorists,” Abubakar assured.
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