CCTV, Drones, and Command Centres: The Missing Links in Nigeria’s Security Architecture

CCTV, Drones, and Command Centres: The Missing Links in Nigeria’s Security Architecture

By Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem

The recent arrest of a notorious armed robbery kingpin, John Samuel, in Epe, Lagos State, once again highlights the crucial role of surveillance technology in modern policing. CCTV footage showing Samuel shooting at his victims before robbing them was key evidence that led to his capture—proof that technology can bridge the gap between impunity and justice.

This case is far from isolated. In January 2021, CCTV cameras in Lekki captured a thief breaking into a home and making away with electronics and a car. Yet, in most parts of Nigeria, such crimes remain unrecorded, unreported, and unresolved due to a lack of surveillance infrastructure.

The consequences of this gap are grave. On September 23, 2025, gunmen riding on about 50 motorcycles attacked villages in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. They killed a pregnant woman, abducted six others, and operated for over four hours without resistance. This, among countless similar incidents, underscores the dangers of ungoverned spaces and delayed security response.

Recent reports by Daily Trust indicate that at least 50 security operatives have been killed across Nigeria in just two weeks. Citizens cannot continue to live at the mercy of these violent attacks. Every Nigerian life deserves protection—not just those of the privileged few.

Why Surveillance Technology Matters

Globally, the deployment of CCTV cameras and surveillance drones has proven essential in combating terrorism, organized crime, and other security threats. These tools deter potential offenders, aid in identifying suspects through recorded evidence, and allow for swift intervention before attacks escalate.

Surveillance drones, in particular, can provide real-time intelligence on criminal hideouts in forests, mountains, and remote regions—enabling preemptive strikes and coordinated arrests.

Similarly, Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs) offer enhanced safety and protection for security personnel against gunfire, landmines, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), while enabling rapid response to threats.

However, Nigeria still lags behind. Only a few states—such as Lagos, Edo, Oyo, and Akwa Ibom—currently operate functional Command and Control Centres, and even those have limited coverage. Drone deployment remains inadequate, leaving vast areas unmonitored and vulnerable to criminal exploitation.

Strengthening the Security Architecture

It must be acknowledged that significant efforts have been made in recent years to bolster police capacity. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has supplied more than 200 Buffalo patrol vehicles, protective vests, helmets, and has renovated several police stations and barracks across the country.

Between 2021 and 2025, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) received 328 operational vehicles, thousands of ballistic vests, 50 Sudanese horses, and advanced training for over 10,000 officers in counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and hostage negotiation.

The Ministry of Police Affairs has also procured tactical vehicles and gear, reflecting a sincere commitment to strengthening the Force. Yet, the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges demands more than equipment—it requires intelligence-led policing powered by surveillance and data integration.

Travelling along highways from Abuja to Sokoto, Lagos, or Calabar reveals the impact of NPTF’s intervention through visible patrol vehicles. The Fund’s projects also include new smart divisional police stations in Mpape (Abuja), Akaeze (Ebonyi), and Ekinrin-Adde (Kogi), as well as the renovation of 57 police stations and 14 barracks nationwide.

The Way Forward

For Nigeria to build a truly responsive and proactive security system, the following measures are critical:

1. Expand CCTV coverage across all states and local governments.
2. Deploy surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles for operations in forests, highways, and border regions.
3. Equip Divisional Police Stations with advanced technology for real-time response.
4. Integrate identity and data systems—such as the Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB), WAPIS, and Interpol i24/7—for tracking false identities, cyber threats, and transnational crimes.
5. Promote community security partnerships involving federal, state, and local governments, private sector players, and citizens to install cameras in public spaces and underserved areas.

Furthermore, as Nigeria advances toward local government autonomy, chairmen must be empowered to take responsibility for the security of their domains. Divisional Police Stations should also be made more accountable and better equipped to act swiftly in emergencies.

Criminals must be placed perpetually on the run—confronted by well-trained, well-equipped security personnel backed by deployable drones and TAPVs operating simultaneously across the country.

Conclusion

Nigeria has the manpower, the commitment, and the courage to fight crime—but it lacks the technological infrastructure to stay ahead of it. Investing in CCTV systems, drones, and modern command centres is no longer optional; it is an urgent necessity.

The time has come for all tiers of government to act decisively—by supporting local manufacturers of Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles, scaling up surveillance capacity, and empowering the police with the tools required to deliver Renewed Hope Policing for all Nigerians.

Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem

Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Police Affairs