The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully recovered an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that experienced a communication failure during a routine mission under Operation FASAN YAMMA, the Service announced.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, stated that the incident occurred within Sector 3 of the operational area while the drone was conducting a scheduled task in support of ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
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Ejodame explained that following the loss of link and unsuccessful attempts to restore communication, the NAF immediately activated established emergency procedures. These included automatic return-to-base protocols and coordinated response measures involving other branches of the armed forces and relevant authorities.
“The platform has been contained, and recovery operations are progressing as planned,” Ejodame confirmed. He added that technical teams had secured the UAV and commenced preliminary assessments in accordance with standard safety and operational protocols.
The NAF emphasized that there was no loss of life and that all ongoing operations across various theatres of operation continued without disruption.
Reassuring the public, the Service highlighted its commitment to professionalism and operational readiness, noting that counter-insurgency missions remain uninterrupted. The recovery of the drone demonstrates the NAF’s capability to manage unforeseen technical challenges effectively, ensuring both operational continuity and national security.
The Air Force reaffirmed its focus on safeguarding Nigeria’s airspace while supporting ground operations, stressing that lessons from the incident would inform future UAV missions and enhance operational safety.
