Senate President Godswill Akpabio has responded firmly after Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru publicly challenged lawmakers’ assertions that terrorists are better equipped than the Nigerian military.
During a Senate session broadcast by NASS TV, Akpabio addressed the dispute directly: “You reported the Honorable Minister of Defence to this Senate. I think the Senate will look into that issue. If the Defense has any issue with any resolution of the Senate, he shouldn’t do so in the market. He should get in touch with the Senate President or the Senate elders.”
Akpabio emphasized proper channels for such disagreements, adding, “Senator Ningi, I think I’m speaking your mind. He should get in touch with us, not go and speak in the open, as it will amount to executive-legislative brouhaha. So, we will take that up at the appropriate time.”
The controversy began on May 7 when House of Representatives member Ahmadu Jaha from Borno State claimed that Boko Haram and other insurgent groups possess more advanced drone technology than the Nigerian Army. Jaha maintained that evidence shows the military lacks sufficient personnel and equipment to counter insurgents reportedly returning to Borno State.
Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi State similarly criticized military leadership for stating that Tucano jets couldn’t be deployed against insurgents due to purchase restrictions.
Defense Minister Badaru strongly rejected these claims, describing the allegations as “absolutely false” and asserting that Nigeria’s armed forces maintain superior weaponry and surveillance capabilities compared to groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Regarding terrorist drone capabilities, Badaru clarified: “They do not possess military drones. These are commercially available drones, makeshift at best, and lack any precision targeting capabilities.”
The Senate maintains that Badaru should have respected parliamentary protocol by discussing these disagreements in a private executive session rather than contradicting lawmakers publicly.
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