The Nigerian Army has announced the introduction of new technologies and application of drones in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who spoke at a dinner and media interactive session organized for editors and defence correspondents in Maiduguri yesterday, Saturday. Said: “we are working on deployment of drones.
“The Nigerian Air Force has been deploying drones in our operations in the northeast and they are deploying more, it has been very effective in this operation.
“For surveillance, local drones are deployed and when new ones are also deployed, it will be effective and useful in the operation.”
Buratai said that applications of drones and new technologies are critical in modern warfare to ensure successful implementation of the counter insurgency campaign.
According to him, the army had utilized drones in surveillance and research and that the process was effective in execution of its operations against the insurgents.
According to him, the military has also deployed modern military hardware, rehabilitated office and house accommodation, clinics and executed viable projects for the improvement of personnel welfare and boost their morale.
Buratai said that the military would also deploy modern scanning machines to check vehicular movements and enhance security on high ways.
The army chief called for closer media-military relation to check the spate of terrorists’ propaganda and campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Army.
The army chief commended the media for effective coverage of counter insurgency campaign, even as he tasked them to educate the people, to discourage terrorists’ propaganda.
Buratai lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the military which he said, facilitated significant successes recorded by the military against the insurgents.
He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to end insurgency, restore peace to the northeast, and remain apolitical, disciplined and professional in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.
Source: NAN.
