The Nation Newspaper

Tag: surveillance

  • FRSC to increase surveillance in ember-months

    FRSC to increase surveillance in ember-months

    The Kubwa Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Abuja has worked out a special plan to control end-of-year road crashes.

    The command said that the ember-months season has always been a challenging period characterised by peculiar traffic offenses in Kubwa and on the expressway.

    Assistant Corps Commander, Yusuf Abdullahi said the unit will deploy its men and logistics early to identified areas around Kubwa and environs to ensure an improved presence of FRSC operatives.

    Abdullahi condemned the way drivers overload their vehicles, violate speed limits, commit lane indiscipline and disregard traffic rules and regulations.

    He said that part of the units strategies towards a safer road during the festive season includes stronger collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as the National Union of Road Transport Owners, the Nigerian Police (NURTO) and fleet operators in addition to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)ý and other sister agencies.

    He also added that the strategies will be complemented with 23 Emergency Ambulance Service Centres code named ZEBRAS, a toll free line 122 to enable the unit respond promptly to traffic emergencies and embark on robust public enlightenment campaigns and the strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations in Kubwa.

    He also said, “It was in the effort to deal with this challenge that the Corps came up with the initiative of the Special Ember Months Patrol which involve massive deployment of staff and logistics to the road as build up towards effective management of traffic and to contain the peýrennial obstructions, gridlock and other accompanying hazards that have been witnessed within this period over the years.

    “The tendency for drivers to overload their vehicles, violate speed limit, commit lane indiscipline and disregard other traffic rules and regulations is always higher in this period and these violations heighten the spate and fatalities of road traffic crashes within the period. Tackling the challenges, therefore, has always been the task before the FRSC, as the lead agency for road traffic management and Administration in the country, over the years.

    “This year presents yet another challenge that we have to tackle head-on and we are committed to tackling them to save road users especially within Kubwa and its environs from dreadful experiences, and I want to assure you that the Corps has drawn a robust road map towards addressing these challenges.

    “In line with our pro-active drive, we have embarked on early deployment of men and logistics to the identified areas to ensure improved presence of FRSC operatives at designated blocks.”

     

  • ‘WD purple surveillance drives, solutions to insecurity’

    ‘WD purple surveillance drives, solutions to insecurity’

    Western Digital company and storage industry leader, has said one of its flagship products, purple surveillance drives (WD Purple) designed for high definition (HD) surveillance applications remained a security solution to be rivaled.

    Its Sales Director Distribution, Middle East, Africa & India, Mohammed Owais, who spoke on the sideline of SECUREX exhibition in Lagos said the surveillance solutions are designed to address insecurity in the country.

    He said:  “Our surveillance solutions can address insecurity situation in Nigeria and not only Nigeria, but in all places where there are insecurity issues. We created our surveillance solutions to address insecurity challenges. For example our Purple Drive Solution offer up to 6TB of capacity and is capable of monitoring troubled environment 24/7 non-stop and capture images of people and objects in such environment.” added Owais.

    According to him, digital surveillance systems are rapidly replacing analogue systems in the region. These systems, he added, feature HD cameras which are able to capture footage in high resolution, making it easier to identify critical details when reviewing footage. WD Purple hard drives are engineered for 24/7 always-on surveillance in high-definition surveillance systems that use up to eight hard drives and up to 32 cameras.

    WD Purple drives feature IntelliPower and AllFrame technologies, which deliver premium reliability and peace-of-mind when installing in homes or small- to medium-size business security systems. AllFrame technology works with ATA streaming to reduce frame loss, improve playback and increase the number of drive bays supported in a surveillance system. Moreover, AllFrame reduces video interruptions that commonly occur when desktop hard drives are incorrectly used in security systems.

    WD surveillance drives enable SDRVRs, NVR, CCTV, IPTV, and other digital video surveillance systems to deliver a comprehensive range of features and capabilities such as high-resolution image quality, streaming video from multiple high-definition cameras, video archiving with ultra-fast data access and on-demand video playback.

    Regardless of the surveillance environment, whether it is banking, Casino, retail, commercial, corporate, government or law enforcement, WD surveillance-based hard drives deliver the performance, added capacity, and enhanced reliability that surveillance applications require.

     

     

     

  • Surveillance job: Urhobo ex-militants bomb pipelines

    Surveillance job: Urhobo ex-militants bomb pipelines

    An Urhobo militant group, under the auspices of Urhobo Gbagbako, yesterday bombed two major trunk lines of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at two locations between Afiesere/Ekredjebo in Ughelli North and Otedo/Edjovwe in Ughelli South local government areas of Delta State.

    The group’s spokesman, Priest Omodjuvwu, in an email yesterday, said the action was a resentment to those it called “the traitors” the NPDC was sending to Urhoboland to manipulate their peaceful communities.

    Omodjuvwu said: “These petty crumb eaters can only cause pains to the NPDC, Shoreline and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in a so-called promised sham settlement to this lingering crisis to the companies and government agencies.

    “In believing the empty promises of these evil doers and traitors, you continue to slowly drive your companies (NPDC, NNPC, Shoreline) into a certain abyss you will never recover from. We, the Urhobo nation, will continue to demand our own fair share of the pipeline surveillance contract job for the sake of equity and justice.

    “We, the Urhobo Gbagbako group, a militia group of all former militants, youths, women and elders of Urhobo ethnic nationality, did not give any individual or group to speak on our behalf on any issue as it concerns the pipeline surveillance contract job.”

  • Oshiomhole’s home under aerial surveillance

    Oshiomhole’s home under aerial surveillance

    The Edo State government yesterday alerted to threats on the life of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    The government said an unidentified aircraft overflew the governor’s country home in Iyamoh, Auchi, for several minutes in low altitude on Monday evening.

    The state government wondered what could have warranted an aerial surveillance days after troops were reportedly stationed around Oshiomhole’s private residence.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, warned that President Goodluck Jonathan, as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would bear responsibility for any harm that befalls the governor.

    “Even as peace-loving Nigerians are still rejoicing and the international community happy over the relative peace witnessed nationwide after the March 28 elections, we note that some anti-democratic forces seem bent on fomenting trouble in Edo State by embarking on acts of sheer provocation.

    “At about 6p.m on Monday, April 6, a low-flying aircraft emerged from the blues and for several minutes, overflew the country-home of the Comrade Governor in Iyamoh, Etsakor West Local Government Area. Fortuitously, the incident occurred barely few minutes after the governor departed for Benin City.

    “To us, there could only be two possibilities in the circumstance: either a military or civil aircraft. Knowing that no such flight or mission could have taken place without the knowledge or clearance of either the civil aviation authority or the Air Force, we find this development not only an unconscionable abuse of state powers, but also an extreme act of provocation. Had the governor not providentially left home before the mystery aircraft’s arrival, we can only imagine what could have happened if his security guards were left with no choice than to take a peremptory action.

    “Only penultimate Thursday (March 26), we had cause to alert the nation to the deployment of an unusually large contingent of troops around the governor’s private residence in Iyamoh.

    “Having been soundly beaten in the presidential ring, we are aware that PDP is presently sorely bitter and like a decapitated serpent, is looking for a target or anyone perceived as staunch Buhari supporter to hurl the venom left in its belly.

    “While we cannot deny them their right to grieve, let it be known that Edo people will not offer any consolation prize on April 11 as they will, this time, resist any attempt to steal their ballot through Army intimidation.

    “Let it also be noted that as the head of PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan will bear personal responsibility should any harm befall the Comrade Governor.”

     

  • ARMTI chief canvasses stronger animal disease surveillance

    ARMTI chief canvasses stronger animal disease surveillance

    As poultry farmers count their losses after an outbreak of bird flu, a livestock  expert, Dr Ademola Adeyemo  has  called  for  increased  surveillance to prevent outbreak of deadly  livestock diseases.

    Adeyem, Deputy Director, General  Administration, Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI), said  the  sudden  outbreak  of  bird  flu  required the strengthening of animal disease surveillance nationwide.

    He said there was the need to strengthen surveillance and early detection systems for diseases of domestic and wild animals as poultry have already fallen victim to highly pathogenic avian influenza in less than four months.

    Although the outbreaks of the virus have so far been rapidly controlled by the health authorities, he said the virus had important economic repercussions for the poultry sector.

    According to him, the impact of the globalisation of movements of animals, people and commercial products has greatly increased the possibilities for pathogens to spread from one side of the world to the other in record time.

    Adeyemo said it was important to be on the alert given the capacity of influenza viruses to mutate. One  of the  measures, he suggested was combating diseases at their animal source, adding this can be achieved if the government can put in a competent, well-organised national Veterinary Services.

    This, he noted, is a precondition for early detection of animal disease outbreaks and a rapid, transparent response.

    While this will ensure extensive, optimal surveillance for animal diseases, the expert urged animal producers, hunters, and other key players to cooperate with the government in the campaign to boost  survelliance and promote stricter veterinary control in livestock production.

    He urged them to provide information about diseases to the public health centres.

  • Activist seeks probe on N5b surveillance contract in Niger Delta

    A Niger Delta activist, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, has urged anti-corruption agencies to probe the alleged embezzlement of the multibillion naira pipeline surveillance contract awarded to some former militants and tribal groups in the Niger Delta region.

    Newuwumi’s call came on the heels of revelations that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, was planning to renew the contract, which was awarded between 2010 and 2011.

    Newuwumi, who is the President of Iwere (Itsekiri) Development Association (IDA), told reporters yesterday that the Itsekiri slots were hijacked by a popular Itsekiri leader and House of Assembly candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.

    He said: “This open letter has become necessary because of recent attempt to re-award the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline surveillance contract in Delta State to a surveillance company, where he (a former militant leader) represents the Itsekiri interest again.

    “I know the first phase of the contract, which was also awarded to him, was meant to employ more than 1,500 Itsekiri. But to my dismay, this lofty dream by the government for the people did not materialise because of the greed of one person. He did not only embezzle the money meant for the contract, he also failed to employ a single youth among the Itsekiri.”

    The activist said a similar contract by the state government was also hijacked by the same clique, which he accused of desperation to cage the ethnic group.

    The IDA President noted that contrary to the terms of the contract, the Itsekiri front for the contract failed to pay the agreed salary of N120,000 monthly to the 1,500 workers and also failed to provide tools needed to do the job.

  • U.S. surveillance planes fly over Syria

    U.S. surveillance planes fly over Syria

    president Barack Obama has authorised surveillance flights over Syria in order to gain intelligence on the activities of Islamic State (IS), marking the first step towards US air strikes inside Syria, where the jihadist group controls vast swathes of territory.

    The US is already carrying out strikes against IS in neighbouring Iraq.

    On Monday, the Syrian government said it would work with the international community in the fight against IS.Western governments have so far rejected suggestions that they collaborate with President Bashar al-Assad in an attempt to counter the growing regional threat posed by IS.They have repeatedly called on Mr Assad to step down since the beginning of the three-and-a-half year uprising against his rule, in which more than 191,000 people are believed to have been killed.

    On Monday evening, US officials said Mr Obama had approved over the weekend reconnaissance flights by unmanned and manned aircraft.

    One official later told the Associated Press that they had already begun.

    The US military has been carrying out aerial surveillance of IS – an al-Qaeda breakaway formerly known as Isis – in Iraq for months and launched air strikes on 8 August.

    The president cited the threat to US diplomats and military personnel and the humanitarian crisis in the north, where hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes since June as IS fighters and allied Sunni rebels have taken control of dozens of cities, towns and villages.

    Mr Obama has resisted taking military action in Syria, but Pentagon officials are said to have advised him that the only way the threat from IS can be fully eliminated is to go after the group there.

    A spokesman for Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Pentagon was “preparing options to address Isis both in Iraq and Syria with a variety of military tools including air strikes”.

    The options reportedly include targeting IS leaders in and around their stronghold of the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, as well as in the east near the Iraqi border.

    Last week, IS published a video showing it killing the American journalist James Foley, who was abducted in Syria in 2012. The group threatened to kill other US citizens it was holding in retaliation for US air strikes.

    It later emerged that US special forces had attempted to rescue the hostages in July, but that they were not at the location in Syria where the military thought they were being held.

    One Obama administration official told the New York Times that the US did not intend to collaborate with the Assad government or inform him in advance of any operation.

  • Oyo begins 24-hour surveillance

    Oyo begins 24-hour surveillance

    •Union urges govt to establish emergency unit

    Oyo State Health Commissioner Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin has said the Abiola Ajimobi administration has begun a 24-hour monitoring and tracking of the 33 local government areas to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, Gbadegesin said the government was placing emphasis on the boundaries in Saki West, Iwajowa, Atisbo and Itesiwaju local government areas to ensure the virus does not enter the state through the boundaries.

    The commissioner said the tracking of foreigners coming into and leaving the state was also ongoing.

    He said: “There is also a strong collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, other Southwest ministries of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan on surveillance, tracking and case management of suspected, probable or confirmed cases.”

    Gbadegesin urged the public to maintain proper personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing with soap and water.

    The comissioner urged the people to report anyone having fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes and bleeding or anybody who might have died due to cause(s) not known, to the nearest health facility.

    Also, the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has urged the state government to establish an emergency preparedness centre to curtail the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    Its Chairman Dr Muideen Olatunji addressed reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, on the Health sector.

  • A powerful rebuke of mass surveillance

    A powerful rebuke of mass surveillance

    For the first time since the revelation of the National Security Agency’s vast dragnet of all Americans’ telephone records, a federal court has ruled that such surveillance is “significantly likely” to be unconstitutional.

    In a scathing 68-page opinion peppered with exclamations of incredulity, United States District Judge Richard Leon, of the Federal District Court of the District of Columbia, found that the seven-year-old phone-data collection program — which was established under the Patriot Act and has been repeatedly reauthorized by a secret intelligence court — “almost certainly” violates the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable searches.

    Reaching into the 18th century from the 21st, the judge wrote that James Madison “would be aghast” at the degree of privacy invasion the data sweep represents.

    The ruling by Judge Leon, who was nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush on Sept. 10, 2001, was remarkable for many reasons, but mainly because there were real people sitting in open court challenging the government’s lawyers over the program’s constitutionality.

    The plaintiffs, led by Larry Klayman, a conservative legal activist, sued the government after the program came to light. A similar suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union is in a federal court in New York.

    Judge Leon’s opinion took issue with the government’s reliance on a 1979 Supreme Court case, Smith v. Maryland, which upheld the police’s warrantless capture of phone numbers dialed from the home of a robbery suspect on grounds that the suspect had no reasonable expectation of privacy in the numbers he dialed.

    But the N.S.A.’s phone-surveillance program is “a far cry” from what the court considered in 1979, Judge Leon wrote. While the circumstances in the Smith case involved a “one-time, targeted request for data regarding an individual suspect in a criminal investigation,” the phone-surveillance program is a “daily, all-encompassing, indiscriminate dump” of data from the phones of people who are not suspected of any wrongdoing.

    Further, he reasoned, the Supreme Court in 1979 could not “have ever imagined how the citizens of 2013 would interact with their phones.”

    “Thirty-four years ago, when people wanted to send ‘text messages,’ they wrote letters and attached postage stamps,” Judge Leon wrote. In other words, as technology changes, so does an average person’s expectation of privacy — the standard by which a court determines whether a search is reasonable.

    Judge Leon recognized the government’s compelling interest in preventing terrorism, but he pointed out that it “does not cite a single instance” in which the data collection “actually stopped an imminent attack.”

    In order to reach these issues at all, Judge Leon first ruled that the plaintiffs had standing — that is, they have the legal capacity to challenge both the collection of the phone data itself and the subsequent searches of that data by the government. That is significant, because prior to the revelation of the phone-data sweep this summer, the Supreme Court had rejected a similar challenge because the plaintiffs could not prove that the government had ever collected their personal data. As Verizon customers, Mr. Klayman and the other plaintiffs are now able to show “strong evidence” of that collection, the judge ruled.

    The judge, in granting the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction, ordered the government to stop collecting the plaintiffs’ phone data and to destroy any data it had already collected, but because of the “significant national security interests at stake,” he stayed his own ruling to allow the government to appeal. The decision applies only to the plaintiffs in this case, and not to the American public at large.

    Though the ruling is limited in those respects, it is an enormous symbolic victory for opponents of the bulk-collection program, and a reminder of the importance of the adversarial process. For seven years, these constitutional issues have been adjudicated under “a cloak of secrecy,” as Judge Leon put it. Now, that cloak has finally been lifted in a true court of law.

    – New York Times

     

  • Oil theft: FG to use electronic pipeline surveillance

    Oil theft: FG to use electronic pipeline surveillance

    The Federal Government is considering the possibility of deploying electronic pipeline surveillance to track oil theft in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday.

    Jonathan, in a message at the closing of an oil and gas investment forum in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, described the menace of oil theft as worrisome.

    He vowed that government was ready to tackle it headlong.

    “Relevant regulatory agencies are working round the clock to combat the challenge, considering the strategic position of oil and gas in the economy,” he said through Senate President David Mark.

    Government, according to him, has “embarked on a number of far-reaching measures to combat these unwholesome activities. Government is exploring the possibility of using electronic pipeline surveillance to track down oil theft.”

    He asked all relevant industries to ensure that “all oil and gas related cargo are discharged only at the designated terminals.”

    The President directed that the agencies concerned should also ensure strict enforcement on the ban on the illegal discharge of cargo and receiving of vessels at private jetties.

    He said that steps should be taken to guard against the breach of national security and loss of revenue to the government.

    Jonathan said the choice of the Onne oil and gas free trade zone was strategic, as it will showcase the investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy as “seeing is believing”.

    According to him, government generated revenue in the zone has increased from $5.4 billion to $7.1 billion in 2013 and the FDI from $4 billion to $4.2 billion dollars in 2013.

    “Available statistics indicate that the companies operating in the free zone have increased from 150 in 2011 to 170 in 2013; employment regeneration has increased from 30,000 in 2011 to 34,000 in 2013.

    “Support to family livelihood has grown from 180,000 in 2011 to 200,000 in 2013. If these indices are not indicating an attractive environment for investors, I wonder what else they are,” he said.

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, said the Oil and Gas Free Zone (OGFTZ) will continue to be a catalyst for the diversification of the economy.