YES, PERMIT NEEDED FOR DRONE, NO, EXTORTION NOT ALLOWED – POLICE RESPONDS TO VIRAL VIDEO AT LEKKI-IKOYI LINK BRIDGE
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
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The Nigerian Police, Lagos State Command today responded to the viral video showing two police officers demanding a drone permit from a drone operating individual on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
In a press statement e-signed and released to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP by the Lagos PPRO, SP Benjamin Hundeyin clarified that the police officers acted within the ambit of the law to demand to see a permit. ‘For emphasis, Nigerian aviation laws stipulate that a permit must be obtained from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the operation of drones weighing more than 250 grams anywhere within the country.’
In the same vein, the Lagos State Police Command noted that the police officers were wrong to demand money. ‘Nonetheless, the Lagos State Police Command totally condemns the unprofessional conduct of the officers in attempting to extort the drone operator as can be seen in the concluding part of the video.’
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has, therefore, directed the Commanding Officer of 49 PMF Akodo, from whose squadron the police officers were duly posted to the bridge, to produce the men for appropriate disciplinary actions.
