Insecurity in Nigeria is increasing; with Thousands of lives lost, many in captivity, while some are homeless and spending their days at the Internally Displaced Persons Camps (IDP). Though, Billions of Naira has been spent by the Buhari's Administration, but many Nigerians can still not sleep with their two eyes closed due to the increasing rate of Insecurity.
As an alternative, some security experts are of the opinion that more Technologies and intelligence gathering should be encouraged.
Daily News Report had an interview with a Tech Expert- Engineer Jimi Ajiboye. The interview below:
Quest: It is an honour to have you on the programme sir. Let us begin with Insecurity, what comes to you mind?
Guest: Thanks for having me. Insecurity has been sounding in the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to the extent that it has even become a part and parcel of everyday rhymes of an average Nigerian. I mean, hardly can you see a day without any killing or Kidnapping or other related violent attacks in Nigeria, everything is on Insecurity.
Quest: Overtime, we have been hearing the President, Mohammadu Buhari and the Information and Culture Minister- Lia Mohammed saying Nigeria has become more safer. According to the Presidency, they said Buhari has ended Boko Haram. What is your assessment so far?
Guest: Even without me talking on either the war of Boko Haram has ended or not, a common Nigerian out there knows Boko Haram and other terrorists and Bandits are still at their peaks; Killing and kidnapping innocent Citizens.
The sad truth is Boko Haram and other terrorist sects kill or kidnap on daily basis, but the majority of us aren’t following the trends because we now see killings in Nigeria, particularly in the North East and West as norm.
Go and verify, you will see how devastating the North-West states: Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi and Sokoto; not leaving Bronu state in the North-East, go there and see the pathetic situation the people are living there. Some of them are now living in the IDP Camps due to insecurity.
Quest: Talking about how Technology and Intelligence gathering could come in, what is your view on that?
Guest: Deploying Tech power and Intelligence gathering are more better solutions to curbing crimes. Take a look at developing and developed Countries around the world, they all build on technology and intelligence gathering to combat crimes and criminality.
No positive Country could still be fighting War manually these days. They now use tech as a support team in fighting insurgency.
We are now in a Country where Bandits demand Ransoms using telephones, but none of the Telecommunications and other Network Media could track and get the perpetrators.
Recently, Federal government, through the office of the Communication and digital Economy, headed by Prof. Isa-Ali Pantami forced millions of Nigerians to enroll for National Identification Number (NIN) and be linked to their respective SIM cards; defaulters' lines were blocked because of this. According to the Minister, this NIN will also be used to track terrorists and other groups disturbing the peace of Nigeria. Up till today, no single person has been apprehended. Yet, those Sects are still Kidnapping and demanding Ransoms, what happen to the NIN linked to SIM cards in their phones?
Quest: Still on that Engineer Ajiboye, what do you think government can do differently?
Guest: There are so much Nigerian government can do, but creating a policy is one thing, executing and do a follow-up is one other thing. The Bank Verification Number (BVN) was linked to Bank Account holders and this has been monitored to reduce corruption and money laundering. Likewise, the NIN is a data base system for all Nigerians and FG says only SIM cards linked to NIN will function. Definitely, the Phones been used by the kidnappers are with registered SIM cards. Federal government should be able to deploy the required GPS data to track the phones, get their locations and get them arrested and prosecuted.
There are other Tech like drones. Infact, the power of drones have increased in multiple ways and functions; depending on what you need. But, Nigerians are only using drones for video camera and not for proper surveillance and carrying out rapid actions. Drones could shoot bullets and bombs. Instead of deploying thousands of unarmed soldiers to fight a war, why not use drones as rapid response team to get surveillance of the Terrorists' hideout and you later either deploy the soldiers there or engage with the drones. There is need for government to embrace technology.
Quest: Talking on solutions, you mentioned technology, what other ways can also help?
Guest: State Policing. Giving room for regional police will help tackle insecurity. The Federal government is holding too much into its hands that he can't not manage alone. Giving powers to state police and local security outfits will curb insecurity. Kudos to some state governors who are now waking up to the reality to create local security outfits. Those security outfits have come to stay, the Federal Government should have some regulatory functions over them and give the most powers to state Governors to control them. At least, this system was used during the regional system.
Also, more recruit into the Security space: The over all population of the Nigerian Forces isn’t up to 300,000. How could a thousand be protecting over two million Nigerians. There is a need for more recruitment and it must be done on merit, not on how connected the applicants are.
Besides, the Buhari's government should stop integrating Boko Haram and Terrorist group members into the Army. Why will you say because someone who have killed thousands of Nigerians has repented, you now Integrate such person into the Army. The highest a government should do it to obtain intelligence report from such person and use the information to engage.
Others include: more provisions for sophisticated equipment and combat Weapons for the Forces, regular training should be mandated for them as well.
Proper renumerations and prompt salary payments should also be done. It is not easy to join the force, hence, those joining should be well paid. Doing all these, Nigeria would regain her lost glory.
Quest: Thank you for your time Sir, on a final note, what is your advice to Government at all levels towards fighting the insecurity and embracing Tech as one of the solutions?
Guest: Thank you. Having said all those, government at all levels must work together to fight Insecurity; it's a National issues affecting all states. The Government too much have a willing and dedicated heart to fight Insecurity, and not using one hand to fight insecurity, while the other hand is used to encourage insecurity.