Esther Oritse
Lagos — In a move aimed at curbing crude oil theft, Nigeria’s private security firm, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), has entered into an agreement with United States–based Textron Systems for the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
Textron Systems said the drones will support security operations around Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, which has continued to face threats from crude oil theft, vandalism and sabotage.
The agreement also includes provisions for training and the possible acquisition of additional aircraft as Tantita expands its operations, building on a previous U.S. Foreign Military Sales delivery of Aerosonde drone systems to Nigeria.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is designed to operate without a runway, using a hybrid quadrotor system for vertical takeoff and landing before transitioning to fixed-wing flight. The system can carry multiple payloads and conduct extended surveillance missions.
Speaking on the development, Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Captain Waredi Enisour, said Tantita officials were in the United States to inspect the drone operations and understudy the associated technical processes.
Enisour added that with the latest technological acquisitions by Tantita, incidents of crude oil theft are expected to decline significantly, as the drones will provide extensive surveillance coverage across the Niger Delta region.
He disclosed that Tanttia is the first private security firm in Nigeria to acquire the Aerosonde UAV which hosts ISR capabilities.
