There are strong indications that the United
States government may launch attacks against
Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, as a
drone base being constructed in the Niger
Republic would soon be completed.
According to reports, the American drone base is
under construction in Agadez, a town in Niger.
The facility is expected to offer US military,
greater ability to use drones against Islamist
extremists in countries like Libya, Mali and
Nigeria.
But some security experts told SUNDAY PUNCH
that such drone attacks against insurgents in the
North might kill innocent people.
The project, considered to be the United State’s
most important military construction effort in
Africa, according to secret files obtained by an
online medium, The Intercept, will gulp $100m.
The construction of the base is an indication that
the US is paying more attention to terrorist
groups in Nigeria and other countries on the
African continent.
“As the only country in the region willing to allow
a US base for MQ-9 Reapers — a newer, larger,
and potentially more lethal model than the
venerable Predator drone — Niger has positioned
itself to be the key regional hub for US military
operations, with Agadez serving as the premier
outpost for launching intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance missions against a plethora
of terror groups,” The Intercept said.The Americans have for years operated an air
base in Niamey, Niger’s capital, but in September
2014 the US African Command announced plans
to build a drone facility for “Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.”
The documents obtained by The Intercept and
made available online stated, “The top MILCON
[military construction] project for USAFRICOM is
located in Agadez, Niger to construct a C-17 and
MQ-9 capable airfield.
“Remotely Piloted Aircraft presence in Africa
supports operations against seven (Department of
State)-designated foreign terrorist organisations.
“Moving operations to Agadez aligns persistent
ISR to current and emerging threats over Niger
and Chad, supports French regionalisation and
extends range to cover Libya and Nigeria.”
Reacting to the development, a member of the
American Society of Industrial Security, Prof. Femi
Adegbulu, told SUNDAY PUNCH that there was a
possibility of collateral damage, should the US
launch drone attacks against Boko Haram in the
North.
He said, “There are two sets of drones, one for
surveillance and the other for attacks. A
reconnaissance drone is used for intelligence
gathering, while the other kind of drone is used
for attacks. There is no 100 per cent accuracy in
warfare.
“You lose lives, money, time, and resources. The
possibility of collateral damage cannot be ruled
out, especially since Boko Haram terrorists are
known to use humans as shields when attacked.”
(Punch)
There are strong indications that the United
States government may launch attacks against
Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, as a
drone base being constructed in the Niger
Republic would soon be completed.
According to reports, the American drone base is
under construction in Agadez, a town in Niger.
The facility is expected to offer US military,
greater ability to use drones against Islamist
extremists in countries like Libya, Mali and
Nigeria.
But some security experts told SUNDAY PUNCH
that such drone attacks against insurgents in the
North might kill innocent people.
The project, considered to be the United State’s
most important military construction effort in
Africa, according to secret files obtained by an
online medium, The Intercept, will gulp $100m.
The construction of the base is an indication that
the US is paying more attention to terrorist
groups in Nigeria and other countries on the
African continent.
“As the only country in the region willing to allow
a US base for MQ-9 Reapers — a newer, larger,
and potentially more lethal model than the
venerable Predator drone — Niger has positioned
itself to be the key regional hub for US military
operations, with Agadez serving as the premier
outpost for launching intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance missions against a plethora
of terror groups,” The Intercept said.The Americans have for years operated an air
base in Niamey, Niger’s capital, but in September
2014 the US African Command announced plans
to build a drone facility for “Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.”
The documents obtained by The Intercept and
made available online stated, “The top MILCON
[military construction] project for USAFRICOM is
located in Agadez, Niger to construct a C-17 and
MQ-9 capable airfield.
“Remotely Piloted Aircraft presence in Africa
supports operations against seven (Department of
State)-designated foreign terrorist organisations.
“Moving operations to Agadez aligns persistent
ISR to current and emerging threats over Niger
and Chad, supports French regionalisation and
extends range to cover Libya and Nigeria.”
Reacting to the development, a member of the
American Society of Industrial Security, Prof. Femi
Adegbulu, told SUNDAY PUNCH that there was a
possibility of collateral damage, should the US
launch drone attacks against Boko Haram in the
North.
He said, “There are two sets of drones, one for
surveillance and the other for attacks. A
reconnaissance drone is used for intelligence
gathering, while the other kind of drone is used
for attacks. There is no 100 per cent accuracy in
warfare.
“You lose lives, money, time, and resources. The
possibility of collateral damage cannot be ruled
out, especially since Boko Haram terrorists are
known to use humans as shields when attacked.”
(Punch)
Comments
Post a Comment