The recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has significantly increased the security burden on Nigeria’s military, according to Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff.
This development has disrupted regional security frameworks, particularly affecting the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The MNJTF, which has played a crucial role in countering Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, will see its capacity to conduct joint operations further weakened if Chad also withdraws. This would place greater responsibility on Nigeria’s military to support the MNJTF.
Growing Threat of Extremist Groups
Abubakar highlighted the growing threat posed by extremist groups in the Sahel, warning that Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists are exploiting weak governance structures to expand their influence. Porous borders in the Lake Chad Basin have enabled these groups to sustain their activities, posing a persistent threat to regional stability.
Maritime Crimes and Internal Security
The Air Chief also noted that maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea, including piracy and illegal oil bunkering, require increased aerial surveillance and regional cooperation to bolster security. He commended progress made in counterinsurgency operations in the North-East and North-West in 2024 but warned of emerging threats, including the rise of the Lakurawa group in the North-West and renewed Boko Haram attacks in the North-East.
Need for Comprehensive Anti-Drone Defense System
Abubakar emphasized the need for a comprehensive anti-drone defense system to protect military personnel and assets, citing the use of drones carrying locally fabricated grenades by Boko Haram terrorists.
Regional Cooperation and Security Mechanism
The Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, raised concerns over the growing confidence of terrorist groups, warning that their recent successes have emboldened them to expand operations into coastal West Africa. Laka stressed the need for stronger regional security cooperation, noting that terrorism and transnational crimes thrive in ungoverned spaces and porous borders.