The Nigeria Police Force has acquired three high-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs, in a bid to checkmate criminal activities in the country. Daily Nigerian reports.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who announced this in a statement on Thursday, said the move was aimed at improving the armed surveillance operations of the Force.
According to him, the deployment was a further manifestation of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali-Baba’s determination to integrate the use of innovative technology into the law enforcement duties of the Nigeria Police Force.
The statement reads: “The newly acquired drones will surely assist the Police in monitoring active crime scenes, coordinating response operations, and providing armed aerial support to officers on reconnaissance operations.
”The 3 newly acquired UAVs are rotary wing aircrafts capable of flying up to an altitude of 1000ft with high operational endurance and capacity of firing at acquired threats and targets from reasonable distances.
“The Nigeria Police Airwing has equally concluded trainings for the operators of the drones in partnership with foreign experts who have been consulted for trainings and maintenance of the drones.”
Mr Adeobi added that the IGP had directed the immediate, and strategic deployment of the drones based on necessity, adding that more UAVs of the same specifications are still expected at the shortest possible time
“The IGP while reiterating the constant deployment and judicious use of the drones, ordered total clamp down on non-state actors and criminals in Nigeria, and similarly warned criminal elements across the country to steer clear and turn a new leaf else the environment would not be conducive for them, and they may meet their waterloo soonest.
“The Inspector-General of Police has further re-emphasized the firm determination of his administration to continue to explore the use of technology in the fight against crime and criminality while seeking full cooperation from members of the public on intelligence gathering and vigilance,” he added.