The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has deployed three armed drones to tackle insecurity across the country.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying newly acquired drones will assist the Police in monitoring active crime scenes, coordinating response operations, and providing armed aerial support to officers on reconnaissance operations.
The three newly acquired UAVs are rotary-wing aircraft that have the capacity to fly up to an altitude of 1, 000 feet.
Noting that the deployment of the drones is based on necessity, the IGP said three more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of the same specifications are still expected to arrive in the country in the shortest possible time.
According to him, the constant deployment and judicious use of UAVs, ordered a total clampdown on non-state actors and criminals in the country.
The police boss also warned criminal elements causing havoc across the country to turn over a new leaf.
See the full statement issued below:
INSECURITY: IGP ACQUIRES, AND DEPLOYS 3 ASISGUARD SONGAR ARMED DRONES TO STRATEGIC LOCATIONS
Orders Total Clamp Down on Non-State Actors, Criminals
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, has acquired three (3) high-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for improved armed surveillance operations to checkmate criminal activities in the country as a further manifestation of the IGP’s determination to integrate the use of innovative technology in the law enforcement duties of the Nigeria Police Force.
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 training and maintenance of the drones.
The IGP has directed the immediate, and strategic deployment of these drones based on necessity, while noting that three (3) 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.
CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA