The National Counter-Terrorism Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has expressed concern over the proliferation of drones and its potential threat to aviation security.
It called for proactive strategies to address the challenges posed by the rapid increase in drone usage.
The centre noted that drones have significantly altered the way wars, particularly low-intensity conflicts, are conducted.
Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa (retired), the National Coordinator of the Centre, made these remarks in Abuja during the Nigeria-United Kingdom joint threats and counter-drones workshop.
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According to him, ever-emerging uses and interest in drone acquisition make its proliferation inevitable.
“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.
“The ever-emerging uses and interest in drone acquisition make its proliferation inevitable if the use and global market for UAVs, weaponised or otherwise, are not regulated.
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“It is imperative that we develop an in-depth understanding of this threat and work together to devise robust and proactive strategies to mitigate the adverse challenges and strengthen aviation security,” Musa said.
He added: “There is no doubt that the impact of terrorism on internal travel could have profound negative impacts on the human, social and economic development of any country.
“Tourists’ risk perception of a country is often associated with the safety of a country’s aviation and maritime travel, and such perception has political, social, and economic implications for the country.”