The Nigerian Army says it has introduced the application of drones and other new technologies in fighting Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast.
Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, disclosed this on Saturday, while answering questions at a dinner and media interactive session organized for editors and defence correspondents in Maiduguri.
According to Buratai, applications of drones and new technologies were imperative in modern warfare to ensure successful implementation of the counter insurgency campaign.
He revealed that the army had made use of drones in surveillance and research, describing the process as effective in execution of its operations against the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.
Stressing how far the Army has gone in the use of technology in its operations, the COAS said, “now, even the uniform is technology-based, it will be tagged wherever you are; it sends signal when you are in danger, and these issues are very important.
“Technology is playing important role in warfare and we are not left out; we have in place a transformation and innovation department.
“The department is working on research and developments not only on basic equipment but equally more scientific and technological facilities to enable us to carry out our operations.
“We are also 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.”
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He disclosed further that 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 to boost their morale.
He noted also that the military would equally deploy modern scanning machines to check vehicular movements and enhance security on high ways.
Buratai called for closer relation between the media and military to check the spate of terrorists’ propaganda and campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Army.
He commended the media for effective coverage of counter insurgency campaign, but tasked them to educate the people, to discourage terrorists’ propaganda.