ZULUM WARNS OF POSSIBLE SABOTAGE AFTER BOKO HARAM DRONE ATTACK IN BORNO

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Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has raised alarm over possible acts of sabotage following a recent Boko Haram drone attack on military formations in parts of the state.

The governor said the assault, which targeted locations including Mafa, Gajibo and Dikwa local government areas, marked a disturbing shift in the insurgents’ tactics as they deploy unmanned aerial vehicles in their operations.

Zulum revealed that intelligence had been shared ahead of the Mafa attack, suggesting that internal lapses or leaks may have contributed to the strike’s success.

He warned that some activities within the security system appeared to amount to sabotage, stressing the need for both federal and state authorities to urgently investigate and plug gaps in the region’s defence operations.

“We had credible intelligence that Mafa would be attacked and shared it with the relevant authorities. There is a need to identify possible sabotage within the system and resolve it,” Zulum said.

While commending troops for repelling the attack, the governor described the incident as a wake-up call for Nigeria to review its air defence and surveillance strategies. He urged the Federal Government to strengthen the country’s counter-drone capabilities, enhance intelligence coordination, and improve border control across the North-East.

Zulum also called on residents and local security volunteers to assist authorities by reporting suspicious movements, especially in border and frontline communities still facing insurgent threats.

The attack comes amid renewed concerns that Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), are increasingly adopting sophisticated technologies in their operations.

Security experts have described the use of drones by insurgents as a major escalation that could redefine counterterrorism strategies in the region.