Alarms have recently been buzzing concerning the troubling state of security in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This follows an upsurge in brazen crimes, including kidnappings, armed robberies, confidence tricks, burglaries and “one chance”, a ploy in which robbers pretend to be operators of commercial buses or taxis and then rob unsuspecting victims enroute.
Spiralling crime is heightening the loss of lives and other valuables, as well as physical injury and trauma, leaving many residents of Abuja in fear and consternation.
This development also casts a dark shadow on the state of security in our country, Nigeria, as the state of the capital is an indicator of the general state of the nation.
Several factors have been identified as being responsible for crime in Nigeria. They range from poverty and unemployment to illiteracy, among others.
This challenges government to address the volume and quality of education delivery, especially artisanal skills, in the medium to long term, for meaningful impact.
Crime prevention strategies play a crucial role in maintaining law and order, preventing criminal activities, and promoting a peaceful society. They are essential for reducing crime rates, protecting individuals and communities, and fostering social stability and development.
The community policing approach is much advocated by security specialists. It is a proactive strategy that involves collaboration between the police and the community in preventing and combating crime. It aims to build trust and establish a partnership between the police and the people they serve.
Community involvement is essential in crime prevention as it creates a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents. When the community actively participates, it becomes easier to identify and address local safety concerns.
Then comes intelligence-policing which involves gathering and analysing data to generate actionable intelligence that guides law enforcement activities. Intelligence-policing focuses on identifying crime patterns, trends, and potential risks to prevent criminal activities.
Utilising technology and data analysis in policing is also key. The Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies would become more effective with the proper adoption and deployment of technologies such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, crime mapping, and data analysis software to enhance intelligence-led policing. These tools enable law enforcement agencies to quickly respond to emerging threats and allocate resources effectively.
Furthermore, increasing police patrols and setting up checkpoints in high-crime areas create a sense of security, discouraging criminals from engaging in illegal activities.
It is also critical that the Nigerian Police Force collaborates with other government agencies, such as the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to enhance intelligence sharing and coordinate efforts in combating crime.
The effectiveness of technology applications in crime prevention and detection takes us back to the bungled $470 million Abuja Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project. The closed-circuit cameras were part of the National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS) contract awarded in 2010 to a Chinese company, ZTE Corporation, at $470 million. The Chinese Exim Bank provided $399.5 million loan, while the Federal Government paid the balance of 15 per cent, amounting to $70.5 million in counterpart-funding. 1,000 units of the CCTV cameras were supposed to be installed in Lagos and Abuja. The purpose of the CCTV contract was to facilitate real-time online communication between security agencies to enhance their capacities in fighting crime. But it has apparently come to little or no effect.
The project was to generate voice, video and data, using the code division multiple access (CDMA) technology to tackle terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
We advise that the Federal Government find a way to make this project, which has been paid for, work as it has been proven to be a most effective tool in crime prevention and detection. It has worked and continues to work in other countries where it has been deployed.
