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Your source for Nigeria defense news 🌍 and military updates across Africa. DefenseNigeria is a private twitter account and is not affiliated with the AFN.

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One of the President's campaign pledges was to significantly expand the Nigerian military, with a target of at least 500,000 active duty personnel. Granted, the 500,000 force projection is somewhat hyperbolic, but increasing the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions is a significant expansion. It represents an unprecedented growth in the Army's force structure, surpassing any previous expansion.

One of the President's campaign pledges was to significantly expand the Nigerian military, with a target of at least 500,000 active duty personnel. Granted, the 500,000 force projection is somewhat hyperbolic, but increasing the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions is a significant expansion. It represents an unprecedented growth in the Army's force structure, surpassing any previous expansion.

65,649 görüntüleme

A terrorist on a motorcycle inadvertently led Nigerian Air Force surveillance assets straight to his comrades hiding under dense vegetation. Moments later, a precision strike is carried out on their position.

A terrorist on a motorcycle inadvertently led Nigerian Air Force surveillance assets straight to his comrades hiding under dense vegetation. Moments later, a precision strike is carried out on their position.

112,663 görüntüleme

This sailor slumped at the parade ground. Military personnel fainting while standing in formation is more common than you think. It can happen for a variety of reasons.

This sailor slumped at the parade ground. Military personnel fainting while standing in formation is more common than you think. It can happen for a variety of reasons.

24,689 görüntüleme

Battlefield lessons from the Ukraine conflict are shaping military tactics worldwide. China has begun training its troops on how to evade drone threats. The goal here is to dodge or evade them at the last second by relying on quick reflexes, dropping to the ground. It's hard to see how that would play out in a real world combat environment.

Battlefield lessons from the Ukraine conflict are shaping military tactics worldwide. China has begun training its troops on how to evade drone threats. The goal here is to dodge or evade them at the last second by relying on quick reflexes, dropping to the ground. It's hard to see how that would play out in a real world combat environment.

28,818 görüntüleme

Every Nigerian army patrol convoy should be accompanied by helicopters providing overwatch. This eliminates the threat of roadside ambushes on convoys. When the Aviation Corps goes active, helicopters riding shotgun should become standard practice.

Every Nigerian army patrol convoy should be accompanied by helicopters providing overwatch. This eliminates the threat of roadside ambushes on convoys. When the Aviation Corps goes active, helicopters riding shotgun should become standard practice.

163,399 görüntüleme

Silhouette of a USAF C-17 Globemaster III on final approach to Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Silhouette of a USAF C-17 Globemaster III on final approach to Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

17,435 görüntüleme

Injured Nigerian troops following an ISWAP assault on the forward operating base in Gajiram, Borno State, were rapidly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation Bell UH-1H Huey helicopters and flown to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri, the nearest military medical facility in the state.

Injured Nigerian troops following an ISWAP assault on the forward operating base in Gajiram, Borno State, were rapidly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation Bell UH-1H Huey helicopters and flown to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri, the nearest military medical facility in the state.

121,422 görüntüleme

Terrorist groups have long used thick forests to hide, stock up on munitions, and establish bases. The Sambisa forest alone covers 60,000 square kilometers across several northeastern states, including Borno, Yobe, Gombe, and Bauchi. It's a dense mixture of short trees, thorny bushes, and thick foilage that provides tactical camouflage from aerial surveilance. The NAF carry out painstaking ISR missions to identify targets in these areas and launch precision air interdiction strikes to destroy terrorist structures and weapons caches hidden under the foliage. That's one forest among dozens billeted all over the northeast and northwest. Other notable forests such as the Alawa, Kamuku and Kainji forest reserves have similarly been exploited by bandits and terror groups. The Kainji reserve is of particular concern because it is the gateway to the Southwest. It has become known as the new Sambisa. What was once a mere selected hideout is gradually becoming a stronghold, with JAS reported to have established a bomb making factory. We cannot allow terrorists to embed themselves in this particular forest.

Terrorist groups have long used thick forests to hide, stock up on munitions, and establish bases. The Sambisa forest alone covers 60,000 square kilometers across several northeastern states, including Borno, Yobe, Gombe, and Bauchi. It's a dense mixture of short trees, thorny bushes, and thick foilage that provides tactical camouflage from aerial surveilance. The NAF carry out painstaking ISR missions to identify targets in these areas and launch precision air interdiction strikes to destroy terrorist structures and weapons caches hidden under the foliage. That's one forest among dozens billeted all over the northeast and northwest. Other notable forests such as the Alawa, Kamuku and Kainji forest reserves have similarly been exploited by bandits and terror groups. The Kainji reserve is of particular concern because it is the gateway to the Southwest. It has become known as the new Sambisa. What was once a mere selected hideout is gradually becoming a stronghold, with JAS reported to have established a bomb making factory. We cannot allow terrorists to embed themselves in this particular forest.

44,638 görüntüleme

During the Obama and Biden administration the U.S operated two military bases in Niger. A CIA facility in Niamey and a Predator drone base in Agadez, 750km from the Nigerian border . It was a critical asset for AFRICOM to monitor regional threats. The base in Agadez was the largest airman built project in U.S Air Force history, built at a cost of $110 million. From these bases, the U.S conducted regular armed patrols. Yet, despite this presence, U.S. counter-terrorism involvement in the region was strikingly limited. Over more than eight years of operations, there was not a single American kinetic strike against terrorist targets anywhere in the region. Nigeria repeatedly requested U.S. intelligence support and military equipment to combat terrorism. Those requests were rebuffed. The Obama administration declined to share intelligence gathered from its patrols and suspended the sale of military equipment to Nigeria.

During the Obama and Biden administration the U.S operated two military bases in Niger. A CIA facility in Niamey and a Predator drone base in Agadez, 750km from the Nigerian border . It was a critical asset for AFRICOM to monitor regional threats. The base in Agadez was the largest airman built project in U.S Air Force history, built at a cost of $110 million. From these bases, the U.S conducted regular armed patrols. Yet, despite this presence, U.S. counter-terrorism involvement in the region was strikingly limited. Over more than eight years of operations, there was not a single American kinetic strike against terrorist targets anywhere in the region. Nigeria repeatedly requested U.S. intelligence support and military equipment to combat terrorism. Those requests were rebuffed. The Obama administration declined to share intelligence gathered from its patrols and suspended the sale of military equipment to Nigeria.

75,876 görüntüleme

Whether it’s Alpha Jets or A-29s, their appearance overhead is always met with cheers from troops on the ground because of what they represent; immediate close air support that can sometimes mean the difference between life and death in intense firefights.

Whether it’s Alpha Jets or A-29s, their appearance overhead is always met with cheers from troops on the ground because of what they represent; immediate close air support that can sometimes mean the difference between life and death in intense firefights.

58,108 görüntüleme

Identify this young naval officer...

Identify this young naval officer...

18,668 görüntüleme

NAF Special Forces Regiment (Panthers) on motorbikes.

NAF Special Forces Regiment (Panthers) on motorbikes.

24,680 görüntüleme

The resignation on their faces says more than words ever could.

The resignation on their faces says more than words ever could.

20,589 görüntüleme

Real men. Troops operating in waist deep water while on patrol in Baga.

Real men. Troops operating in waist deep water while on patrol in Baga.

19,139 görüntüleme

Thunder and Tiger. Guardians of the Nigerian sky. These are the birds responsible for protecting Nigerian airspace.

Thunder and Tiger. Guardians of the Nigerian sky. These are the birds responsible for protecting Nigerian airspace.

31,508 görüntüleme

Terrorists freely operate social media accounts to showcase their weapons, hideouts and even flaunt ransom. Nigeria should be able to track down these vermins by geolocating the videos and images they post online by now, even if they are smart enough to turnoff geotagging.

Terrorists freely operate social media accounts to showcase their weapons, hideouts and even flaunt ransom. Nigeria should be able to track down these vermins by geolocating the videos and images they post online by now, even if they are smart enough to turnoff geotagging.

14,345 görüntüleme

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These FLA/JNIM terrorists on motorbikes were initially crippled by an FPV drone strike carried out by the Russia Africa Corps in Mali. They crawled on their hands and knees for several yards, refusing to surrender before being neutralized by rifle fire. This should be the fate of motorcycle riding bandits and terrorists in Nigeria. Years ago, FPV kamikaze drones was novel technology. Today, numerous Nigerian companies are producing Kamikaze drones. If there is any country in Sub-Saharan Africa with both the technical expertise and security imperative to scale up the production of thousands of these drones for frontline operations, it is Nigeria. The terrorists are fortunate Nigeria is yet to employ this capability despite its local production capacity.

These FLA/JNIM terrorists on motorbikes were initially crippled by an FPV drone strike carried out by the Russia Africa Corps in Mali. They crawled on their hands and knees for several yards, refusing to surrender before being neutralized by rifle fire. This should be the fate of motorcycle riding bandits and terrorists in Nigeria. Years ago, FPV kamikaze drones was novel technology. Today, numerous Nigerian companies are producing Kamikaze drones. If there is any country in Sub-Saharan Africa with both the technical expertise and security imperative to scale up the production of thousands of these drones for frontline operations, it is Nigeria. The terrorists are fortunate Nigeria is yet to employ this capability despite its local production capacity.

Defense News Nigeria

51,813 görüntüleme • 1 gün önce

The guy is apparently still alive. Russia needs thousands of Africans like this guy as front line troops to avoid a politically risky domestic general mobilization. Putin needs roughly 35,000 new soldiers every month to sustain high attrition rates on the front line in Ukraine.

The guy is apparently still alive. Russia needs thousands of Africans like this guy as front line troops to avoid a politically risky domestic general mobilization. Putin needs roughly 35,000 new soldiers every month to sustain high attrition rates on the front line in Ukraine.

Defense News Nigeria

61,250 görüntüleme • 2 gün önce

The golden rule in an ambush situation is to get off "the X" (the immediate kill zone). Keep moving and return suppressing fire. These soldiers in transit made it out of an attempted ambush.

The golden rule in an ambush situation is to get off "the X" (the immediate kill zone). Keep moving and return suppressing fire. These soldiers in transit made it out of an attempted ambush.

Defense News Nigeria

187,095 görüntüleme • 8 gün önce

That's a Diamond DA-42 surveilance plane, also used by the NAF. One aircraft can cover a flight range of 2,269 kilometers with an endurance of 8 to 10 hours during continuous patrol missions. Decent acquisition by the Oyo State government. Oyo State is the largest state in Southern Nigeria by land mass, with total land area of approximately 28,454 square kilometers. There's no way they have enough ground officers to patrol such an expansive landmass, so aerial surveillance will help them cover more ground quickly.

That's a Diamond DA-42 surveilance plane, also used by the NAF. One aircraft can cover a flight range of 2,269 kilometers with an endurance of 8 to 10 hours during continuous patrol missions. Decent acquisition by the Oyo State government. Oyo State is the largest state in Southern Nigeria by land mass, with total land area of approximately 28,454 square kilometers. There's no way they have enough ground officers to patrol such an expansive landmass, so aerial surveillance will help them cover more ground quickly.

Defense News Nigeria

45,346 görüntüleme • 2 gün önce

There is a symbiotic relationship between South American drug cartels and terrorist groups in West Africa. A cocaine shipment bound for West Africa, with a street value of $1 billion was recently intercepted with intel provided by AFRICOM. AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson

There is a symbiotic relationship between South American drug cartels and terrorist groups in West Africa. A cocaine shipment bound for West Africa, with a street value of $1 billion was recently intercepted with intel provided by AFRICOM. AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson

Defense News Nigeria

1,306,608 görüntüleme • 2 ay önce

Kill House for CQB (close quater battle) training. These facilities have fully modular internal layouts to simulate exact room anatomy and hallways for safe room clearing drills.

Kill House for CQB (close quater battle) training. These facilities have fully modular internal layouts to simulate exact room anatomy and hallways for safe room clearing drills.

Defense News Nigeria

31,393 görüntüleme • 2 gün önce

Three Mexican nationals and several cartel linked operatives arrested after an NDLEA raid on a massive methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a forest in Ogun State. Meth valued at over ₦480 billion were recovered. It is the largest meth lab ever uncovered in Nigeria.

Three Mexican nationals and several cartel linked operatives arrested after an NDLEA raid on a massive methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a forest in Ogun State. Meth valued at over ₦480 billion were recovered. It is the largest meth lab ever uncovered in Nigeria.

Defense News Nigeria

1,235,985 görüntüleme • 2 ay önce

Nigerian troops quietly advancing on Boko Haram positions.

Nigerian troops quietly advancing on Boko Haram positions.

Defense News Nigeria

438,259 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

A couple years ago, Nigerian Navy SBS Special Operations Forces trained U.S. Marines in riverine small boat tactics. You won't find Nigerian SBS operators boasting about it, that professionalism speaks for itself. This guy, who came to Nigeria over a decade ago during the early stages of the insurgency, made a YouTube video on the subject a few years back. His outdated and distorted narrative shows he was mid level instructor with a limited grasp of the broader operational picture. The fact that he's still recycling the same talking points speaks volumes about his shallow and immature mindset. You won't find other U.S. instructors making remarks like this. This is clearly someone retired, chasing relevance and validation, recycling outdated talking points.

A couple years ago, Nigerian Navy SBS Special Operations Forces trained U.S. Marines in riverine small boat tactics. You won't find Nigerian SBS operators boasting about it, that professionalism speaks for itself. This guy, who came to Nigeria over a decade ago during the early stages of the insurgency, made a YouTube video on the subject a few years back. His outdated and distorted narrative shows he was mid level instructor with a limited grasp of the broader operational picture. The fact that he's still recycling the same talking points speaks volumes about his shallow and immature mindset. You won't find other U.S. instructors making remarks like this. This is clearly someone retired, chasing relevance and validation, recycling outdated talking points.

Defense News Nigeria

155,820 görüntüleme • 17 gün önce

A Day On The Frontline. Finally, reporters embedded with the Nigerian Air Force at the front provide first-hand coverage of the realities and complexities of frontline air operations.

A Day On The Frontline. Finally, reporters embedded with the Nigerian Air Force at the front provide first-hand coverage of the realities and complexities of frontline air operations.

Defense News Nigeria

41,981 görüntüleme • 5 gün önce

The most animated terrorist commander. His erratic rambling propaganda videos show he was most definitely under the influence of drugs.

The most animated terrorist commander. His erratic rambling propaganda videos show he was most definitely under the influence of drugs.

Defense News Nigeria

280,330 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

Turkish T-129 ATAK helicopters, in service with the Nigerian Air Force conducting a training exercise at dusk, raining down their 20 mm cannons against pre-designated ground targets.

Turkish T-129 ATAK helicopters, in service with the Nigerian Air Force conducting a training exercise at dusk, raining down their 20 mm cannons against pre-designated ground targets.

Defense News Nigeria

39,487 görüntüleme • 5 gün önce

They would much prefer to buy U.S equipment, but often out systems take so long to deliver, that they turn to China out of neccesity. - AFRICOM CMDR, Dagvin Anderson. That's right. China has eclipsed Russia as the largest weapons exporter to Africa. American weapons are expensive and take too long to deliver. Nigeria has paid $1 billion for 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, but deliveries may not begin until 2028/2029. The 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters for the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps could take even longer to arrive. This long wait delay the fielding of much needed combat capabilities. By contrast, the first batch of Wing Loong II UCAVs form China took roughly 16 months from contract to delivery, which is much faster than the 4–5 years Nigeria is expected to wait for the AH-1Z Viper helicopters. Also, the VT-4 main battle tanks, ST-1 tank destroyers, and SH-1 self-propelled artillery systems were all delivered within one to two years of their contracts being signed.

They would much prefer to buy U.S equipment, but often out systems take so long to deliver, that they turn to China out of neccesity. - AFRICOM CMDR, Dagvin Anderson. That's right. China has eclipsed Russia as the largest weapons exporter to Africa. American weapons are expensive and take too long to deliver. Nigeria has paid $1 billion for 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, but deliveries may not begin until 2028/2029. The 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters for the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps could take even longer to arrive. This long wait delay the fielding of much needed combat capabilities. By contrast, the first batch of Wing Loong II UCAVs form China took roughly 16 months from contract to delivery, which is much faster than the 4–5 years Nigeria is expected to wait for the AH-1Z Viper helicopters. Also, the VT-4 main battle tanks, ST-1 tank destroyers, and SH-1 self-propelled artillery systems were all delivered within one to two years of their contracts being signed.

Defense News Nigeria

66,075 görüntüleme • 9 gün önce

Footage from the attempted ISWAP infiltration night attack. Troops responded with rocket artillery that can strike enemy positions at ranges of up to 22 km, disrupting the assault before it could gain momentum.

Footage from the attempted ISWAP infiltration night attack. Troops responded with rocket artillery that can strike enemy positions at ranges of up to 22 km, disrupting the assault before it could gain momentum.

Defense News Nigeria

121,795 görüntüleme • 18 gün önce

Video of SP Abdurrazak Hassan, Commander of the EOD Unit in Zamfara State, recorded just yesterday before he and his team embarked on an operation that would tragically become his last. He was one of three police officers killed on Monday after their vehicle struck an IED planted by terrorists in Zamfara. The officers were conducting a routine patrol targeting armed groups along the Anka–Bagega axis when one of the police unit’s armoured personnel carriers ran over the IED buried by the terrorists. All three fallen officers were trained Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists attached to the Zamfara State Police Command. According to reports, following the explosion, armed bandits emerged from the surrounding forest, torched the damaged armoured vehicle, and then retreated back into the bush.

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Video of SP Abdurrazak Hassan, Commander of the EOD Unit in Zamfara State, recorded just yesterday before he and his team embarked on an operation that would tragically become his last. He was one of three police officers killed on Monday after their vehicle struck an IED planted by terrorists in Zamfara. The officers were conducting a routine patrol targeting armed groups along the Anka–Bagega axis when one of the police unit’s armoured personnel carriers ran over the IED buried by the terrorists. All three fallen officers were trained Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists attached to the Zamfara State Police Command. According to reports, following the explosion, armed bandits emerged from the surrounding forest, torched the damaged armoured vehicle, and then retreated back into the bush.

Defense News Nigeria

248,526 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

Footage from JNIM’s attack on the Beninese Army barracks at Koalou-Kourou, which left 12 soldiers dead. Benin has no airforce in practical terms, relying on a small fleet of 11 helicopters. No combat aircraft. JNIM faces no threat from the air, so they enjoy freedom of movement. The Nigerian Air Force will have to step in before the group continues its southward advance toward the coast.

Footage from JNIM’s attack on the Beninese Army barracks at Koalou-Kourou, which left 12 soldiers dead. Benin has no airforce in practical terms, relying on a small fleet of 11 helicopters. No combat aircraft. JNIM faces no threat from the air, so they enjoy freedom of movement. The Nigerian Air Force will have to step in before the group continues its southward advance toward the coast.

Defense News Nigeria

272,695 görüntüleme • 2 ay önce

NDLEA operatives raided another industrial scale meth lab in an Oyo forest, arresting four Mexicans and recovering illicit substances worth billions of naira. This meth lab was operated by a Nigerian Mexican cartel deep within the forest of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North LGA. Oyo State. This comes barely a month after the NDLEA uncovered and shut down a similar clandestine meth lab in a forest in Ogun State, where several Mexican suspects were also arrested. The growing presence of Mexican drug cartel specialists in Southwest Nigeria is concerning. Kudos to the NDLEA for successfully tracking and dismantling these clandestine drug laboratories.

NDLEA operatives raided another industrial scale meth lab in an Oyo forest, arresting four Mexicans and recovering illicit substances worth billions of naira. This meth lab was operated by a Nigerian Mexican cartel deep within the forest of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North LGA. Oyo State. This comes barely a month after the NDLEA uncovered and shut down a similar clandestine meth lab in a forest in Ogun State, where several Mexican suspects were also arrested. The growing presence of Mexican drug cartel specialists in Southwest Nigeria is concerning. Kudos to the NDLEA for successfully tracking and dismantling these clandestine drug laboratories.

Defense News Nigeria

163,274 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

Mauritania built a fairly capable air force and focused their investments on counterinsurgency oriented weapons rather than tools for regime preservation.

Mauritania built a fairly capable air force and focused their investments on counterinsurgency oriented weapons rather than tools for regime preservation.

Defense News Nigeria

408,894 görüntüleme • 3 ay önce

For over 80 years, the Pentagon held the title of the world's largest defense headquarters. We now have a new title holder. The OCTAGON. Egypt has just unveiled the world's largest military Headquaters, called the Octagon. The massive 22,000 acre complex, built as the nerve center for Egypts armed forces, is larger than the U.S. Pentagon.

For over 80 years, the Pentagon held the title of the world's largest defense headquarters. We now have a new title holder. The OCTAGON. Egypt has just unveiled the world's largest military Headquaters, called the Octagon. The massive 22,000 acre complex, built as the nerve center for Egypts armed forces, is larger than the U.S. Pentagon.

Defense News Nigeria

97,444 görüntüleme • 26 gün önce

From the archives ! When Boko Haram terrorists attempted to capture the strategic garrison town of Monguno in Borno State, they launched a mass assault supported by mortar fire. They wanted to play cowboy. Unfortunately for them, the NAF had no intention of playing Red Indian.

From the archives ! When Boko Haram terrorists attempted to capture the strategic garrison town of Monguno in Borno State, they launched a mass assault supported by mortar fire. They wanted to play cowboy. Unfortunately for them, the NAF had no intention of playing Red Indian.

Defense News Nigeria

48,663 görüntüleme • 13 gün önce