The Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, has announced a ban on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, across the North East region of Nigeria.
Air Component Commander of Operation Hadin Kai Air Commodore UU Idris gave the order in a statement released on Wednesday.
He highlighted the security risks posed by unauthorised drone usage in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
“The proliferation of drones for domestic and commercial purposes has raised significant security concerns.
“These concerns largely stem from their potential use by non-state actors and criminal elements for subversive and offensive activities,” the statement read.
Commodore Idris lamented that government agencies and private individuals were operating drones without the necessary approval from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.
He further noted that such unauthorised operations disregarded existing regulations governing drone usage, exacerbating security threats in the region.
The statement continued: “Non-state actors have increasingly refined their use of drones to target military assets and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), as has been observed in other regions.
Recently, there have been reports of unauthorised drone activities within the Theatre. For instance, on January 7, 2025, a passenger aboard an NGO flight from Maiduguri to Monguno was caught with a drone during a search at the helipad. The drone was confiscated, and investigations are currently underway.”
The Air Component Commander emphasised the importance of regulating aerial operations within the North East, including both aircraft and drones, to safeguard the airspace and ensure the security of all operators in the region.
“As part of its mandate, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai is tasked with monitoring and regulating aerial platform operations within Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa airspace.
“This is essential to deconflict the airspace and ensure the safety and security of all operators. In light of this, the ban on drone operations in the North East Theatre, as directed by the Appropriate Superior Authority, is hereby reiterated.”
The statement concluded with a warning: “Breaches of this restriction, no matter how minor, will be taken very seriously. All stakeholders are urged to comply strictly with the regulation in the interest of safety and security.”
This development underscores the military’s ongoing efforts to mitigate security risks in the North East, a region that has experienced persistent challenges from insurgent groups and other threats.
