Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has said Nigeria made a serious mistake by allowing Boko Haram terrorists and other non-state actors to gain ground in parts of the country.
He stressed that leaders and key stakeholders must ensure no group operates within Nigeria’s borders with capabilities that rival, let alone surpass, those of the country’s security agencies.
Governor Mutfwang made this statement on Wednesday during the unveiling of attack drones and testing of locally-made bombs at the headquarters of Briech UAS in Kuje, Abuja. Briech UAS is an indigenous technology firm specializing in drone production.
Terrorists have been active in different parts of Nigeria for over a decade, especially in the North-East, where they have planted explosives and landmines.
Speaking at the event, Mutfwang urged stakeholders to partner with local security technology firms to avoid the delays and restrictions that come with sourcing such equipment from foreign countries.
“I want to first appreciate the Nigerian Armed Forces for their efforts in securing our nation. As the governor of Plateau State, I can testify to their professionalism and efficiency. Today, Plateau is reclaiming its status as the home of peace and tourism,” he said.
He noted that the effective deployment of technology had significantly improved security in the state, thanks to the partnership with Briech UAS.
“We made a mistake as a nation by allowing non-state actors to acquire capabilities that challenge those of our security forces. It is time to correct that. No one should operate within our borders with military strength that competes with or surpasses our armed forces,” Mutfwang added.
The governor welcomed the initiative by Briech UAS, describing it as a strategic and sensible acquisition of technology without external conditions.