He maintained that unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are a more practical and economical substitute for traditional military equipment like fighter jets.
“I would stop purchasing jets if I become president of Nigeria. I have purchased unmanned aerial vehicles. My goal is to purchase drones. They are more efficient, but they are somewhat costly, according to Sowore.
He demonstrated how drones could be used to combat Nigeria’s ongoing security issues, such as banditry and kidnappings.
“Because ten drones can be operated by just five people.” I own two of the drones they purchase for two thousand dollars, and they are frequently confiscated. In twenty minutes, they can travel four kilometers.
In other words, if I have ten unmanned [drones] with operators and I hear that a kidnapper is out in the jungle, I can use those drones to at least monitor them until the police can establish their cordon.
“There aren’t many forests that are longer than, say, ten kilometers in terms of thickness, and it can go four kilometers.”
The activist went on to highlight the efficiency and cost-benefit of drones, saying, “And some of these small, inexpensive drones, I’m not saying that’s what you should use, cost you two thousand dollars.”
“And you will be doing a fantastic job if you purchase a hundred of them for a state.”
Sowore’s remarks coincide with Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with insecurity, which include kidnappings throughout the country, banditry in the northwest, and the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.
Critics contend that despite the government’s growing use of airborne capabilities in security operations, corruption and bureaucratic delays continue to compromise efficacy.
Sowore mentioned the use of cutting-edge aerial weaponry in the Israeli-Iranian conflict as an example of global changes that “has shown to you that the Air Force is on its way to retirement.”
“I don’t need a single jet, you can remain in your country, and you can take over my airspace.” I’ll get to you if I have extremely powerful drones, and I can have your F-35.
Therefore, you’re wasting your time if you’re still purchasing expensive fighter jets that require five years of training for personnel to operate. You’re also unlikely to receive replacement parts on time.
For this reason, I stated elsewhere that I would not have a minister of defense if I were elected president of Nigeria. “A drone would be my minister of defense,”
