Nigeria, UK Partner To Mitigate Drones’ Threats

Nigeria has partnered with the United Kingdom (UK) Department for Transport to mitigate drones’ threats and enhance aviation security in the country.

The national coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa (rtd) said the usage of drones has transitioned from reconnaissance equipment to contemporary weapons.

Musa, who spoke at the opening of a three-day workshop, observed that transportation networks had become terrorists’ targets in their nefarious acts.

He said, “Experiences have shown that transportation networks are particularly vulnerable as terrorist and violent extremist organizations have targeted planes, shipping and other means of transport. Terrorists and their affiliates have also weaponized transportation networks and means to commit acts of states.

Hence, sensitising and building the operational and technical capacities of aviation stakeholders through targeted engagements such as this workshop are imperative to effectively prevent and respond to terrorist acts against air transportation.”

Musa added that no single agency nor country can achieve meaningful success in the fight against terrorism alone, hence, the need to work collaboratively towards progress since “the fight against terrorism stresses the need for inter-agency collaboration and cross-border relationships to stem this tide as terrorism recognises no borders”.

“It is also in the light of this that the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the UK Department of Transport seeks to address this aspect of our security management in Nigeria,” he said.

He therefore charged stakeholders to consciously take more seriously Aviation Security (AVSEC) management, especially counter terrorism specific and counter terrorism relevant activities.

He said the gathering will discuss modalities for countering “the drone threat to aviation which is fuelled by the rapid technological advancements in unmanned aerial systems, particularly their potential misuse poses a significant threat to national security.”

“Today, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have evolved from being tools of reconnaissance to being used as contemporary weapons. Drones have become a means and have changed the way wars, especially low-intensity conflicts, are being waged,” he added.

He tasked participants to develop practical recommendations that can be implemented to enhance aviation security.

“Together, let us embark on this journey to strengthen aviation security, mitigate drone threats,” he said.