The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai Wednesday placed an immediate ban on the use of drones, otherwise called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, across the Northeast region, citing serious security concerns.
This decision, it was gathered, was in tandem with the m military authorities’ mandate to regulate aerial activities in the region and ensure the safety of all airspace users.
The Air Component Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Air Commodore U. U. Idris, who announced this in a statement obtained by our reporter in Abuja, said unauthorised drone operations in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states posed significant threats to safety and security.
The statement said: “It is pertinent to reiterate the ban on drone operations in the North-East Theatre as directed by the appropriate superior authority. Any violation of this restriction will be viewed with the utmost seriousness.”
He lamented the proliferation of drones for domestic and commercial purposes, including their use by government agencies and private individuals without proper authorisation from the Air Component.
“The proliferation of drones for domestic and commercial purposes has led to serious security concerns.
“These concerns mainly stem from their possible use by non-state actors and criminal elements for subversive and offensive activities,” Idris said.
He further said: “More disturbing is that government agencies and private individuals operate these drones without due regard to the extant regulations on their operations.”
The air commander also said non-state actors have increasingly employed drones against military targets and critical national infrastructure, saying this had become a global trend.
He cited a recent incident on January 7, 2025 in which a drone was discovered during a routine security check on a passenger travelling aboard an NGO flight from Maiduguri to Monguno.
The air commander said: “These incidents, among others, reveal a troubling trend where individuals operate drones without due consideration for safety and security, leading to potentially detrimental consequences.”
“The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai is tasked with monitoring and regulating aerial platform operations, including aircraft and drones, within the North-East Theatre. This is aimed at de-conflicting the airspace to ensure safety and security for all operators in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa airspace,” he said.
…Legion hails Tinubu
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Legion has commended President Tinubu for the signing of the Revised Terms and Condition of Service for officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril (retd), said this Wednesday while speaking with journalists at the Wreath Laying ceremony in commemoration of the 2025 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) in Abuja.
He said: “Recently, the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, signed revised terms and conditions of service for officers and soldiers across the board.
“That terms and conditions have improved the general welfare of serving and retired officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
.
He, however, maintained that no amount of improvement and assistance given could be enough, saying there would always be room for improvement.
The general said “the remembrance day was set aside to remember and honour the memories of the fallen heroes.
“Those who fought the first and second world wars, Nigeria civil war and operations in the UN, AU, ECOMOG, and then internal security operations that are still ongoing.”
Jibrin called on the general public for continuous support in whatever capacity and means.
Also speaking, the Interim National President, Military Widows Association (MIWA), Mrs Olubunmi Ese-Okiti, expressed delight that the nation was celebrating its fallen heroes for their selfless sacrifice.
Ese-Okiti commended the efforts of the federal government in meeting its obligations towards the widows of deceased personnel.
She said that the association was also working with the services to ensure that any problem encountered by widows in getting their entitlements was promptly addressed.
…Eno donates N150m to widows
At a similar ceremony in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Governor Umo Eno donated N150million as welfare package to the widows of military fallen heroes in the state.
Eno also announced a donation of N100million to widows of departed police officers in the state, assuring that the state government would continue to celebrate and honour the sacrifices of the fallen heroes.
“In 2024, I announced a donation of N100 million to assist the widows deal with the pain associated with the loss of their husbands and breadwinners.
“We will continue to intentionally do all we can to assist them as well as the Nigerian Legionnaire,” Eno said.
Eno also directed the Ministry for Women Affairs to collaborate with the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs to absorb widows of fallen heroes in all local government areas empowerment programmes.
The governor, who paid tribute to the fallen heroes, commended the men and officers of the Nigerian armed forces for their patriotic zeal, gallantry, and bravery in safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation. (Additional reports from NAN)