NIGERIAN AIR-FORCE
The Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, on Monday said it had invented an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (bomb-detecting robot) capable of defusing Improvised Explosive Devices.
The new device, he added, would assist in checking the incidence of bombings in the country.
The institute Commandant, Air Vice Marshal John Oshoniyi, said this in Kaduna at a briefing to herald the school’s 42nd graduation lecture entitled ‘Enhancing wealth creation through the application of innovative technology; research and development: the role of tertiary institutions.’
Oshoniyi said the research and the development of the robot commenced after the death of a police sergeant, Sunday Badang, who attempted to defuse a bomb in Kaduna on February 14, 2012.
He said rather than human beings dying while operating an IED, it was better to use a robot.
According to him, it is no secret that the country is facing security challenges and the only way to tackle the threat is to create new and smarter devices.
He said, “In our research efforts, following the incessant bombings in the country, I informed you last year that AFIT had commenced research into the development of robot capable of remotely defusing high-caliber bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices.
“I am indeed pleased to inform you that we are making remarkable progress in the research. We already have a prototype of the robot. This briefing will be followed by a short presentation of the Unmanned Ground Vehicle and the demonstration of its capabilities.”
He also announced the invention of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, codenamed AMEBO lll, saying the new aerial surveillance device was an improved version of AMEBO l and ll.
AMEBO 111, he explained, would assist in pipeline and power line monitoring to reduce the spate of vandalism and economic sabotage in the country.
Oshoniyi, who urged the Presidency to assent to the AFIT Establishment bill, added that poor funding was affecting the performance of the institute.
He said, “The research activities being undertaken at the AFIT come with huge financial implications and the resources required for the institute to fully operate cannot be financed by the Nigerian Air Force alone.
“It is in this regard that we earnestly seek the passage of the AFIT Establishment bill. The last National Assembly passed the bill but Mr. President did not sign it.
“The bill when assented to by Mr. President will open the institute to greater funding with adequate and political support. The institute, for instance, can develop its UAV programme to produce operational Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that would be useful in pipeline and power line monitoring as well as in aerial surveillance. This will ultimately reduce the incidence of vandalism and sabotage.
“The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle can also be used to enhance internal security through the provision of timely information when effectively deployed in crisis–prone areas.”
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