NIGERIA CIVIL DEFENCE GETS DRONE TO FIGHT OIL PIPRLINE VANDALISM

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Abdullahi Muhammadu, has said that the corps had procured drone to combat oil pipeline vandalism.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Mr. Muhammadu said the new drone, which would be tested soon, was fitted with an infrared camera.

He said the new drone would use GPS to document the times and places where vandals were observed, saying with this capability, the corps would find it easier to prosecute offenders.
Mr. Muhammadu also said the drone flies at an altitude of about 150 meters (492 feet), watches for more than 80 minutes at a time, and moves quietly through the sky at up to 54km (33 miles) per hour.
The commandant-general also said it could also be put on autopilot function for about 40km stretch.
He said the unmanned aerial vehicle was designed to document evidence of vandalism and help the NSCDC apprehend vandals while in action.
“In 2014, Nigeria lost over N1.2 trillion to oil theft. The government continues to incur heavy costs in a bid to repair vandalised pipelines.
“At the end of 2014, there was a record loss of 50,000 to 60,000 barrels of oil daily.
“We must find new ways to fight vandalism. NSCDC has now found a new way to fight back,” he said.
Mr. Muhammadu said agency’s new procurement would allow it monitor vast areas in a short period of time.