Veteran sounds alarm over inferior weapons used by Nigerian soldiers against Lakurawa insurgents

On the occasion of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, retired military veteran Col. Nasiru Salami issued a sobering critique of Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, spotlighting the disparity in firepower between security agents and insurgents wreaking havoc in the North-West region.

Appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, the 76-year-old war veteran revealed that Nigerian security forces are struggling to combat the newly formed terror group, Lakurawa, due to outdated weaponry.

Sharing an unsettling anecdote, Salami recalled a recent phone call from Maiduguri: “Somebody called me from Maiduguri yesterday and said this Lakurawa group has split into two, attacking from different sides,” he began.

According to Salami, while security agents are armed with GT3 rifles, an outdated general-purpose weapon with limited range, the Lakurawa militants wield sophisticated firearms capable of hitting targets a mile away.

“Our men are using rifles that cannot go beyond a quarter of a mile,” he lamented. “But these people, when they shoot from a far distance, they aim and hit their targets.”

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Salami urged the Federal Government to prioritize equipping security agents with modern assault rifles that can match or surpass the firepower of insurgents. He emphasized that this is not just a tactical issue but a moral obligation to reduce the number of fallen heroes.

“The government needs to come to the rescue of our men on the battlefield. With the right weapons and motivation, we can save more lives,” he said.

Salami also took a moment to reflect on his personal sacrifices. Enlisted in the Nigerian Army in October 1967, he was sent to the Biafran warfront just six weeks after joining.

He recounted his harrowing experience on the battlefield, including losing his right foot to the war, which led to an amputation. Despite this, Salami demonstrated unwavering patriotism, returning to the frontlines to continue fighting.

Now serving as the Secretary of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos Chapter, Salami’s voice carries the weight of experience and the urgency of someone who has lived through the harsh realities of war.

Meanwhile, military authorities have vowed to intensify efforts to eliminate Lakurawa insurgents and other terror groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

As Nigeria commemorates its fallen heroes, Salami’s candid observations serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those still defending the nation’s peace. His call for better equipment and support resonates deeply, not just with security personnel, but with every Nigerian who dreams of a safer, more secure country.

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