Nigerian troops have discovered a suspected terrorist drone launch site during a fighting patrol in Bitta, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, amid ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
Security sources said the discovery followed a patrol conducted around 6:30 a.m. on Monday after intelligence reports indicated drone activity and bush burning allegedly carried out by suspected ISWAP/JAS fighters operating from the Damboa axis.
According to a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama Counter-Insurgency Publication, troops moved into the area to verify the report and later identified a location believed to be used for launching drones by the insurgents.
“The position has been earmarked for a possible ambush operation as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist surveillance and operational capabilities,” the report stated.
It added that patrols and surveillance have been intensified in the general area to deny the terrorists freedom of movement and prevent further attacks.
The development comes amid growing concerns over the increasing use of drones by extremist groups in West Africa.
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reported that Islamic State-affiliated groups have carried out about 20 drone-related attacks, most of them in Nigeria.
One of the most recent incidents occurred on January 29 in Borno State, when suspected ISWAP fighters launched a coordinated attack involving armed drones and ground assault on a military base, resulting in the deaths of nine soldiers, according to military authorities.