Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has cautioned that outdated strategies are no longer effective in tackling the threats posed by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other terrorist groups operating across Africa.
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Speaking in Abuja at the Conference of African Chiefs of Defence Staff, the minister stressed that Africa’s security challenges have become increasingly complex and transnational, demanding fresh approaches and stronger regional collaboration.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Matawalle noted that African nations must move beyond traditional tactics and invest in modern solutions such as Artificial Intelligence, cyber defence systems, and locally developed military technologies. He said such innovations are necessary to confront insurgent groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, Al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab.
Matawalle also emphasized Nigeria’s long-standing role in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian missions, reaffirming the country’s commitment to advancing regional security cooperation.
The minister emphasized that no single country can defeat terrorism in isolation. He called for unity, intelligence sharing, and mutual trust among security institutions, adding that Africa must not only adapt to global trends but also position itself as a leader in shaping the future of technology-driven warfare.