MQ-9 Reapers
The end of Boko Haram might be near as there are strong indications that the United States government may launch attacks against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East bomber-drones.
The American bomber-drones which is capable of bombing any area with heavy casualties is under construction in Agadez, a town in Niger. This is coming after the president Muhammadu Buhari urged the US to help assist the country in the fight against Boko Haram.
It has been revealed that the the project is 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.”
While speaking on the importance of the help being rendered by the US and the use of drones to fight Boko Haram, a member of the American Society of Industrial Security, Prof. Femi Adegbulu, told Punch that "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.”
With the help of the United States, it looks like the fight against Boko Haram will soon be over. The use of drones will also reduce human casualties in the fight while eliminating targets with great accuracy.
