Security Consultant Dr. Ishmael Norman has strongly condemned the flying of a drone over the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) headquarters, warning that unauthorized surveillance over critical security establishments borders on treason.
His reaction follows the arrest of three individuals caught allegedly flying a drone over the EOCO premises in Accra for several minutes.
Dr Norman who was speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, expressed deep outrage over what he described as a severe breach of national security protocols.
He warned that operating an unauthorized drone over restricted security zones carries severe prison sentences.
“Flying drones over an authorized structure like a security agency building is tantamount to 30 years of imprisonment. And I think no matter what they do, if they didn’t have the permit to do that, they should be sentenced to jail. Because the moment I heard that, I said, my God, what is this country coming to?” he said.
He added that having a permit to fly a drone even comes with a limit.
“Even if you have a permit, there is a limit you can fly, but to fly over a security zone is strictly prohibited activity.”
Dr. Norman also questioned the motive behind the incident, speculating that the operation may have been carried out for partisan political gain.
“Just because one individual has been called in for questioning, you have to breach our security protocol for the benefit of your political party? This is very, very wrong, and I’ve made an assumption within the statement I just made. That drone was purposefully flown over EOCO building for the benefit of a political party,” he stated.
He stressed that key national installations, such as EOCO, the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and the Ministry of Finance, must be strictly safeguarded.
He further raised concerns over modern surveillance risks, warning that drones equipped with listening devices could eavesdrop on state operations.
“You cannot go into the offices to listen to what they are saying unless the drones also come with listening device, and that is what bothers me a lot—that you can eavesdrop on official conversation, official work. That, for me, is very close to treason,” he noted.
As the three suspects undergo interrogation to determine their authorization and intent, Dr. Norman urged law enforcement to handle the incident with the utmost seriousness.
ALSO READ:
Manhyia South MP turns himself in to EOCO
EOCO moves to search Baffour Awuah’s office, residence after interrogation
