The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (AC OPHK) has enforced a ban on drone operations in the North-East region, comprising Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, due to heightened security and safety concerns.
Air Commodore Umar Idris, Commander of AC OPHK, announced the directive in a statement from Maiduguri, citing the proliferation of drones for domestic and commercial purposes as a significant risk to regional security.
He pointed to the increasing use of drones by criminal elements and non-state actors for subversive activities, including attacks on military assets and critical infrastructure.
“Unauthorized drone operations by government agencies, private individuals, and organizations without adherence to regulations have raised serious safety and security issues,” Idris said.
He highlighted a recent incident on January 7, 2025, where a passenger aboard an NGO flight from Maiduguri to Monguno was intercepted with an unauthorized drone. The device was seized, and investigations are ongoing.
Idris warned that any breach of the ban, regardless of scale, would be dealt with seriously. He called on all stakeholders to comply with the directive, emphasizing that the regulation is essential for airspace safety and security.
“This measure is critical to de-conflict the airspace and ensure the safety of all operators while combating insurgency in the region,” Idris stated.
The ban is part of broader efforts to address potential threats posed by unauthorized drone operations and to maintain stability across the North-East.