Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has noted with concern that the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States from ECOWAS has disrupted existing security frameworks and plans by Chad to pull out of the Multinational Joint Task Force will affect the ability of the joint security force to conduct operations.
Air Marshal Abubakar, who stated this at a review meeting with Field Commanders in Abuja, said terror group’s use of drones carrying locally fabricated grenades in a kamikaze role to attack troops in Damboa last year indicates the growing efforts of terrorists to proliferate drone attack technology.
The Chief of the Air Staff emphasised that it has become critical to implement a comprehensive and integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system to safeguard troops and air assets.
On January 29, 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recognized the exit of three of its former membersm which include Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic upon the expiration of a one-year notice period.
The three junta-led countries cited ECOWAS excessive dependence on France as the reason their withdrawal in January 2024.
Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey and Iran.
