KEY POINTS

• Terra Industries unveiled drones, mine-clearing vehicles, and intelligence software to support Nigeria’s military.
• The technology focuses on detecting IEDs and countering modern insurgent tactics like drone attacks.
• Defence officials say local innovation will reduce casualties, improve efficiency, and strengthen national security.

A Nigerian startup, Terra Industries, has unveiled a range of defence tools, including interceptor drones and mine-clearing unmanned vehicles, to support military operations.

The systems and drones were presented in Abuja and are designed to improve efforts against insurgents.

The drones aims to help troops detect and neutralise improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which have become a major threat in Nigeria’s long-running insurgency. Recent attacks have increasingly involved drones and roadside bombs targeting security forces.

Collaboration to Boost Local Defence Capacity

Terra Industries CEO Nathan Nwachukwu said the company is expanding into defence innovation with advanced battlefield tools, including surveillance software, drones and unmanned ground vehicles.

Major General Babatunde Alaya of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) highlighted the importance of partnering with local innovators to reduce troop casualties and improve military efficiency.

Also speaking, Major General Babatunde Alaya of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) stressed the importance of collaboration between the military and local tech firms. He said such partnerships are crucial in addressing the growing threat of explosive devices and asymmetric warfare, adding that locally developed solutions can be more adaptable to Nigeria’s terrain and security realities.

According to him, adopting homegrown innovations and drones could help reduce troop casualties, improve response times, and enhance operational efficiency in insurgency-hit regions.

Security analysts believe the introduction of these technologies could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, particularly if properly deployed and integrated into existing military operations.They also emphasise the need for continuous training, maintenance, and funding to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of such advanced systems.