Lack of surveillance, CCTV coverage fueling insecurity across states — Ex-Naval Commander

By Juliet Umeh

A retired senior naval officer and former Commander of the Maritime Guard Command, Commodore Promise Dappa, has blamed the persistent wave of kidnappings, banditry and insurgency across Nigeria on inadequate surveillance infrastructure and the absence of effective CCTV coverage across states.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dappa said the country’s inability to monitor criminal activities and respond swiftly to threats has emboldened kidnappers and terrorists.

His comments come amid growing concerns over mass abductions, including the recent kidnapping of nearly 40 community elders in Zamfara State while reportedly on a reconciliation mission with relatives of suspected bandits.

According to him, “The incident exposed serious gaps in Nigeria’s security architecture.

“Kidnapping is fundamentally a problem of lack of surveillance. If you can see threats before they reach their targets, you can respond appropriately. The problem is that we do not have the capacity to see. We lack what security professionals call battlespace transparency,” Dappa said.

He argued: “That communities should not be left to negotiate with bandits if the government was effectively carrying out its constitutional responsibility.

“The fact that community members had to go and negotiate with bandits themselves shows there is an abdication of responsibility. The government has abdicated its responsibilities in those areas, forcing people to take their fate into their own hands,” he stated.

While acknowledging recent successes by security agencies, including a Nigerian Navy operation that reportedly used drone intelligence to arrest terrorist logistics suspects around the Lake Chad region, Dappa said such achievements remain insufficient.

“It is not as if the government is doing nothing. The government can point to certain achievements. But what is being done is not enough. It is like a student who scores 30 or 40 marks. The student has not scored zero, but the score is still not enough to pass,” he said.

The security expert particularly criticised state governments for failing to invest in surveillance systems despite receiving security votes.

“It is embarrassing that many state capitals still do not have effective CCTV networks. You do not need a prophet to tell you that CCTV cameras are necessary for modern security management,” he said.

According to him, every state capital and major road corridor should be equipped with surveillance cameras to aid crime detection and prevention.

“Every state capital should be wired with CCTV systems. When criminals know they can be identified and tracked, crime reduces automatically,” he added.

Dappa also advocated the deployment of drones, satellites, radar systems, sensors and thermal imaging equipment to strengthen intelligence gathering.

“You need a cocktail of surveillance systems. You use satellites, radar facilities, drones, sensors and thermal systems. Once you can see, you can respond effectively,” he said.

He maintained that insecurity would persist until governments prioritise surveillance and intelligence-driven security operations

“The moment criminals know there is no hiding place for them, insecurity will reduce significantly. What we need is the political will to invest in the right security infrastructure and make security a genuine priority.”

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