Against the backdrop of insecurity plaguing the nation, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, identified lack of sufficient drones and inadequate funding and non-availability of skilled personnel as factors slowing down the deployment of digital policing to tackle crimes.
Egbetokun, who spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State capital during Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) seminar series titled: “Digital Policing and Crime Control in Nigeria, “said “We have not achieved so much in terms of digital policing.
He averred: “dearth of drones limits whatever we have achievements we have recorded. Lack of skilled personnel in the Nigeria Police also inhibits crime prevention through technology. We need more drones and experts who can handle these technological tools in combating criminal elements in society.”
Egbetokun, who was represented by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Adebola Hamzat, the Nigeria Police is now focussing more on preventive and proactive approach to checkmate upsurge in crimes, stressing that despite the challenges facing the security agency, efforts were being intensified to ensure a safer environment for the citizenry.
While canvassing active involvement of the people in ensuring effective security of country in the face breaches, the Police boss contended that “we need more funds to acquire digital tools to match up with the sophistication level of hoodlums and other criminals in the country.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr Solomon Arase, maintained that “before 2015 and 2016, the Police Force has been able to develop capabilities and intelligence platforms that are not captured in this research. That is the essence of intellectual engagement.
According to him, “Now we are going to fill in the gaps. The choice of Lagos and Oyo for this research was not appropriate because when you want to develop reforms, it starts from the headquarters. The Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the Force Department of Investigation are the pioneers.
“What we need to do now is to start talking to research institutes like NISER on how to escalate intellectual discussion on what the Police are really doing. If these researchers had spoken directly with the journalist’s personnel in the system, they would actually understand, it would help in filling the gaps. But we are glad that we are here and we will fill the lacuna, “Arase posited.
In her opening remark, NISER’s Director-General, Professor Antonia Simbine stated that “global attention has shifted away from the traditional and reactive approach of policing crimes to a proactive approach which entails the deployment of digital technology.”
This, she said is critical because “the issue of insecurity in the country has become a serious cause for concern with grave consequences for human safety and debilitating effect on productivity and sustained economic growth and development.
The lead presenter, Dr. Peter Tomoloju, a Research Fellow in the Social Policy Department, NISER, also revealed that deployment of digital technologies in policing will enhance the security of the police and that of the citizens discouraging crime for the fear of detection and arrest.
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