The Nigeria Police Force has trained 30 officers in Unmanned Aircraft Systems technology to strengthen its operations against terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities.
The officers, who are graduates of the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, completed the Basic Unmanned Aircraft Systems Course One organised by Kaduna-based indigenous defence technology company, Nethawk Aviation Solutions.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Saturday, the company’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Flight Lieutenant Adedoyin Akerele (retd.), said the training was part of efforts to develop local expertise in aviation technology and improve security operations.
Akerele said the graduation marked the first phase of a planned programme to train 100 police officers in unmanned aircraft systems.
He said, “The graduation marks a significant milestone in Nethawk’s commitment to specialised aviation training, indigenous technical capacity development and the responsible integration of unmanned aircraft systems into authorised security and public-safety operations.”
Speaking with journalists, Akerele said the training would equip the officers with relevant technical knowledge to support security operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
He explained that the company’s 2026 training programme covered aviation ground school, basic and advanced UAS training, specialised mission qualification, mission planning and strategic operations management.
Akerele said Nethawk had conducted unmanned aircraft operations in more than 65 communities across Nigeria, adding that the company had four locally developed UAS solutions and platforms in active operation.
He further disclosed that the company had trained hundreds of aviation personnel for professional roles in law enforcement, the military, the oil and gas industry and the power sector.
“These achievements reflect Nethawk’s commitment to indigenous expertise, practical technology development and the advancement of Nigeria’s aviation technology ecosystem,” he said.
The chief executive added that the company would continue to develop local technical capacity and provide specialised training to meet the country’s evolving aviation and security needs.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Idri Bunu, who represented the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the training would strengthen the police’s capacity to combat terrorism and other criminal activities.
Bunu said, “The knowledge acquired by the officers would improve their effectiveness in security operations and enhance the force’s response to emerging threats.”
He commended the initiative, noting that the integration of modern technology into policing was important in addressing the country’s security challenges.
The Police Headquarters Air Wing was represented by Superintendent of Police O. U. Shadrach, while the Divisional Police Officer of Mando Police Station, Chief Superintendent of Police Shaibu Patiko, also attended the ceremony.
Akerele described the graduation as an important step towards achieving the target of training 100 police personnel, reaffirming the company’s commitment to developing indigenous aviation expertise and technological solutions for Nigeria’s security sector.