Lagos State government has spent about $20 million (N3 billion) to procure two helicopters to fortify security in the Lagos metropolis. Each of the Bell 412 EP helicopters purchased by the government, according to the manufacturer, the Bell Helicopter and Tiltrotor with headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, US, cost $10.4 million.
Launching the helicopters at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday, the governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said that the choice of the Bell 412 EP was informed by its multi-faceted platform, which allowed it perform paramilitary, civil and utility roles.
According to him, the helicopters are specially and uniquely configured to be used in fire fighting, emergency services, search and rescue, air ambulance and airborne surveillance roles.
He said that it had become imperative for the government to use helicopters for security operation to enable it complement the efforts of the police and security operatives on land and water.
“We are doing this to provide a bird’s eye view of security activities that will make law enforcement predictable, swift and efficient,” he stated. The Bell 412 EP, according to the governor, is a tried and tested helicopter, currently being used by several government agencies all over the world, adding, “It exceeds the standard Bell prototypes. At our request, the two helicopters have been fitted with 31 extra options to give them versatility of multi-faceted use for which we required them.”