Militant groups in Nigeria and the broader Sahel region have intensified their attacks by modifying commercial drones into deadly weapons, marking a dangerous shift in insurgent tactics.
Early Tuesday morning, militants attacked the Cameroonian military base in Wulgo, near Lake Chad, killing 25 soldiers.
The militants, who had disguised themselves as herders before the strike, reportedly used armed drones to gain an advantage, according to an intelligence report seen by AFP.
The use of drones in conflict is not new, but analysts say West African militants are increasingly modifying them for combat.
Once used primarily for surveillance and propaganda, drones are now being equipped with explosives to strike military targets.
Experts warn this adaptation will further complicate counterinsurgency efforts.
“It was only a matter of time before drones arrived in the Sahel and Nigeria,” said Wassim Nasr, a researcher at the Soufan Center.
He emphasized that these devices are now cheaper and easier to use, making them accessible to insurgent groups.
Similar tactics have been observed across the region.
In July, Tuareg separatists in Mali reportedly used drones against Russian paramilitary and Malian troops.
In February, Malian rebels claimed to have downed a military helicopter using drone strikes.
Meanwhile, militants in Burkina Faso and Mali have deployed “suicide drones” to crash into targets.
Authorities are increasingly concerned.
Nigeria banned drones in its northeastern region last December, and regional militaries are struggling to counter the new threat.
However, analysts caution that while drones pose a serious risk, their effectiveness remains inconsistent.
