Nigeria’s military on Tuesday took the wraps off a new aircraft to tackle oil thieves high-seas pirates off the country’s coast, as well as maritime hijackers.

AFP reports that the high-tech plane is one of seven to be operated by the state-run Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Air Force.

It includes sensors, radar and Electro-Optic Surveillance and Tracking (EOST) equipment, which houses three cameras to monitor ships in Nigerian waters, said Sergeant Sunday Olalekan Omotosho.

“When fully operational, no vessel can escape our coverage,” he told reporters before a demonstration flight from Lagos to Escravos in the Niger Delta and over offshore platforms in the oil-producing southeast.

The 20-seat plane can fly as low as 200 feet (60 metres) above the sea and passes on information about maritime traffic to the navy, who can intervene with fast-attack craft if necessary, he added.

“Our aim is to fight all manner of maritime crimes in the country. With this aircraft, we can spot any vessel hundreds of kilometres (miles) away,” said Air Group Captain Enobong Eneh Effiom.

The aircraft is inscribed with the words: “Vigilance over the ocean.”

Piracy off the western coast of Africa has been rising in recent years, with attackers targeting ships playing a key role in the region’s thriving oil industry.

Early this month, global maritime watchdog the International Maritime Bureau said West African piracy made up 19 percent of attacks worldwide last year.

Nigerian pirates accounted for 31 of the region’s 51 attacks — the most since 2008.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/08/20/nigeria-unveils-aircraft-to-fight-oil-thieves/

This is obviously a good news for all except for the thieves!

Diezani and Jona ohhhhhhhhhhhhh

desgiezd: This is obviously a good news for all except for the thieves!

WIth the irresistible bribery trending, don't be annoyed when you get to know the thieves are using this very ‘plane’ for their dirty works in the near future.

This Obviously a wrong move. the oil belongs to us.
we are not killing Nigerians. one can not steal what belongs to him
GEJ take the aircraft to Borno state. that is where its needed. not
in Niger Delta. we are no threat to Nigeria. we are only taken the crumbs.

But still GEJ For ever.

why not for boko haram?

Ogonimilitant: This Obviously a wrong move. the oil belongs to us.
we are not killing Nigerians. one can not steal what belongs to him
GEJ take the aircraft to Borno state. that is where its needed. not
in Niger Delta. we are no threat to Nigeria. we are only taken the crumbs.
But still GEJ For ever.

Have you ever think about what the oil being stolen daily can do for your people? Do you know that the money only ends up in the pockets of few people who use same to oppress the rest? How much of these monies actually get to you if any at all? Lastly, I want to believe that its not only ND people that are involved in the stealing of oil.

Please, give these a thought!

story for the gods

More needed in sambisa forest

desgiezd:

Have you ever think about what the oil being stolen daily can do for your people? Do you know that the money only ends up in the pockets of few people who use same to oppress the rest? How much of these monies actually get to you if any at all? Lastly, I want to believe that its not only ND people that are involved in the stealing of oil.

Please, give these a thought!

Na we de thiefam. E no concern anybody. wetin de wan do for us, wey dem never doam since.
na our oyel. e no concern anybody

Wonder why it took them soo long, guess they finally figured out that square pegs don't fit in round holes.

Which one dem go unveil to fight Boko boys?
Its well, may God deliver us.