Author(s) :

Sunday Moses Adebayo Aloko, Zainab Mohammed & Ummulkaltum Umar Yelwa.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This study examines the strategic role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations, particularly in the context of the protracted Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies. It assesses the effectiveness of drone technology in enhancing Nigeria’s intelligence-gathering and strike capabilities while situating the analysis within the broader global landscape of UAV deployment in conflict zones such as the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study draws on a combination of secondary sources, including government reports, military communiqués/reports, media analyses, and academic literature, as well as interviews to evaluate the operational, strategic, and policy implications of UAV usage in Nigeria. Findings reveal that while Nigeria has made considerable gains in leveraging drones for surveillance and targeted strikes, the full potential of UAVs remains underutilised due to regulatory gaps, infrastructural limitations, inter-agency disarticulation, and overreliance on foreign technology. The study concludes that a comprehensive drone doctrine that includes domestic production, clear legal frameworks, and regional collaboration is critical to maximising UAV effectiveness and modernising Nigeria’s national defence strategy in line with global best practices. Key Words: Drone Warfare, Counter-Insurgency, UAVs, Nigeria, Comparative Security Strategy

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