UN Commends Nigeria’s Falcon Eye System for Combating Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea
The United Nations has formally commended Nigeria’s success in reducing maritime crime, highlighting the pivotal role of the Falcon Eye surveillance system operated by the Nigerian Navy under the supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Developed and supported by RTCom, Falcon Eye has become an essential component of Nigeria’s maritime domain awareness strategy.
Falcon Eye: The Backbone of Nigeria’s Maritime Security
Falcon Eye integrates coastal radar, over-the-horizon detection, EO/IR sensors, satellite imagery, and AIS tracking into a unified surveillance platform. Managed by the Nigerian Navy, it enables round-the-clock monitoring across more than 200 nautical miles of Nigeria’s coastline, allowing real-time threat detection and coordinated response.
Notable Operations: NESO II and Hailufeng II
In a high-profile incident, the Falcon Eye system guided the Nigerian Navy to intercept the MV NESO II, an offshore vessel linked to maritime criminal activity. The operation led to the detention and prosecution of multiple suspects involved in unauthorized operations within Nigerian waters. (efcc.gov.ng)
Another significant success was the interception of the hijacked fishing trawler FV Hailufeng II. After the vessel was seized off the Ivorian coast, Falcon Eye provided early warning and positional data that allowed Nigerian naval forces to intercept the ship, rescue the crew, and apprehend the attackers. (maritime-executive.com)
Legal Framework and Strategic Oversight
These operations were executed under Nigeria’s anti-piracy laws and coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser. The successful prosecutions that followed these incidents demonstrated Nigeria’s growing capability to enforce maritime law and protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). (source)
Global Recognition
In international maritime security briefings, the United Nations has recognized Falcon Eye as a model for effective surveillance, national coordination, and rapid response. The Nigerian Navy’s use of the system demonstrates how technology-driven strategies can transform maritime defense and economic protection.
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Written by: RTCom Intelligence Team
