Police can demand drone permit, says Lagos PPRO

Police can demand drone permit, says Lagos PPRO

The police have the right to demand from individuals permit for using drone in a public place, the Lagos State Police Command has said.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Lagos Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated this while responding to a viral video where police were seen demanding a drone permit.

He said the police officers on duty in the viral video acted within the ambit of the law.

“In response to a now viral video showing two police officers demanding a drone permit from a drone operating individual on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify 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,” he said.

Hundeyin however said the command totally condemned the unprofessional conduct of the officers in attempting to extort the drone operator as 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,” he said.