Why Drones Should Monitor Nigeria’s Highways — Utomi By Enock Damidami | Sele Media Africa
Abuja / Nationwide — Top political economist Pat Utomi has urged Nigerian authorities to deploy drones to monitor the country’s highways, describing aerial surveillance as a vital strategy in the fight against insecurity and highway banditry. [1] What Utomi Says In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Utomi called on state governors to collaborate on a coordinated security architecture for major roads, arguing that highway protection “should be a fairly simple task” given the limited number of major roads in the country. [1] He stressed that drones — unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — should be deployed along highways to provide real‑time aerial surveillance. According to him, such aerial vantage makes it easier to spot threats emanating from the bush or remote roadside before attackers can emerge onto the main road. Academic and field research globally backs the effectiveness of drones for road‑infrastructure monitoring, including detecting road conditions, monitoring remote stretches of highway, identifying hazards, and enabling quicker maintenance or security interventions. [5] What This Could Mean for Nigeria’s Highways – Enhanced security & quick detection of threats — With drone‑based aerial surveillance, security agencies could detect suspicious movement in forested or bushy areas along highways long before attackers reach the main road. – Faster emergency response — In case of accidents, ambushes, or roadblock threats, drones can provide real‑time imagery to guide responders, reducing reliance on slow terrestrial patrol. – Efficient deployment of resources — Rather than spreading limited manpower across multiple checkpoints, authorities can use drones to monitor larger stretches of road with fewer personnel — improving cost‑effectiveness and coverage. – Data‑driven road management — Beyond security, drones can help monitor road conditions, identify maintenance needs early, and inform planning for roadworks or upgrades. Challenges & What Must Be DoneWhile drones offer huge promise, experts caution that Nigeria must develop *clear regulatory frameworks, train sufficient operators, and ensure *data‑privacy and civil‑rights safeguards to avoid misuse. [4] There’s also a need for inter‑agency coordination: drone deployment for highway security would ideally involve federal, state, and local authorities, as well as security agencies — to avoid overlap, ensure proper coverage, and maintain accountability. Utomi further argued that traditional, static checkpoints are becoming outdated. Instead, he advocated for a “mobile and proactive policing” approach, whereby patrols supported by drone intel can move along highways — a shift from reactive to preventive security. [2] Ground‑Truth: Drone Use in Nigeria Is Already Growing Utomi’s call builds on recent developments where drone technology is being tapped for transport and security purposes in parts of Nigeria. For example, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) recently adopted drones to monitor traffic and support security surveillance across Lagos, showing how UAVs can provide real-time aerial oversight and faster response to accidents or emergencies. [3] Meanwhile, security‑tech experts — including firms working with geographical‑information and drone technology — argue that drones offer important advantages in surveillance, especially in remote or difficult terrain. Benefits include cost‑effective monitoring, mobility, rapid deployment, and access to areas where human patrols may not reach easily. [4]
Citations:1. Punch Newspapers: punchng.com/why-drones-should-monitor-nigerias-highways-utomi/?utm_sourc2. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/utomi-suggests-use-of-drones-to-monitor-nigerias-highways/?utm3. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/lastma-deploys-drones-for-real-time-traffic-monitoring-in-lagos/?utm_source=4. Geoinfotech: geoinfotech.ng/geospatial-technology/enhancing-security-in-nigeria-with-drone-technology-a-new-era-of-surveillance/5. UGPTI: www.ugpti.org/about/staff/downloads/2024-11-23-drones-for-road-condition-monitoring.pdf?utm
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