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The federal government Wednesday committed to increasing measures to tackle insecurity in the South-West using drones and installing CCTVs (Close Circuit Televisions) on highways and forests, in latest headway achieved amid calls to address rising insecurity in the region.
Many Nigerians have since criticised the move as yet a camouflage to splurge scarce government funds.
President Muhammadu Buhari offered to deploy such cutting-edge technologies at a closed-door meeting with traditional rulers from the six South-West states including heads of security agencies including Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Buhari said: “Working with the state governments, we intend to beef up the equipping of the police force with advanced technology and equipment that can facilitate the work of the security agencies.”
The President further stated that he would be issuing directives to the appropriate federal authorities to approve snappily, licensing for state governments requesting the use of drones to monitor forests and other criminal hideouts.
“We also intend to install CCTVs (Close Circuit Televisions) on highways and other strategic locations so that activities in some of those hidden places can be exposed, more effectively monitored and open to actionable review,” he said.
He went on to reassure of the government's committment to stamping out insecurity in any corner of the country without preferences while ensuring every Nigerian in every state is safe, and that all citizens can live in peace and harmony, regardless of ethnicity, religion or region.
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He said: “As a government, we remain committed to the ideals of our democracy, particularly entrenching the rule of law and the sanctity of life.
“We will enforce the law, prosecute law breakers and secure an atmosphere of tranquility for all Nigerians wherever they choose to live and also protect our communities from all forms of crimes.
“This is both in our interests as an administration and the interests of the people who voted us into office. We need security to deliver on our many programmes to the people. There can be no prosperity if there is no security.
“This is not only a message of hope but a call to action to all of us as we seek ways to secure our country.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who fronted for the royal fathers confirmed the President's promises.
Oba Ogunwusi said: “Another milestone we achieved is that Mr. President will fast-track very rapid monitoring of our forests by using the technology of modern standard, the drones. The various security agencies will rally round the Inspector-General (IG) and see how it can be properly deployed.
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“Another thing is that they will install CCTV along our highways. The IGP said they are very aggressive about clearing our highways now.
“We believe that with all these, there will be a reduction in the tension in the Southwest because the Southwest is very sensitive in Nigeria.
“We don’t pray for crisis or war or uprising because it will snowball into a lot of things; that is why we are all represented from the six states that make up Southwesten Nigeria.
“We thank God that Mr. President is listening and so far so good, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Asked whether the monitoring of the CCTV was factored into the discussion, he said: “Absolutely. This time around, it is a fruitful interactive session. It is not the normal let’s talk the talk; we are talking the work and we are going to walk the talk.
According to the Ooni, policemen and officers will be recruited among indigenes and residents of the various communities in the region.
