Crime: Expert Blames Rising Insecurity on Weak Collaboration Between Security Agencies, Transport Operators
A transport mogul and security expert, Dr. Oluwasegun Musa, has identified poor synergy between security agencies and transport operators as one of the major setbacks in tackling crime in Lagos State and across Nigeria.
Dr. Musa made this assertion while speaking with journalists who paid him a courtesy visit at his Lagos office during activities marking his recent birthday celebration.
Assessing the nation’s security architecture and transport sector, Dr. Musa said Nigeria is yet to attain an effective and coordinated security system, stressing that insecurity can only be addressed through a holistic and well-coordinated approach.
According to him, solving the nation’s security challenges would require strong commitment and seriousness from those entrusted with governance and security responsibilities.
“My assessment has always been that we are not yet there. It will demand a very big commitment and seriousness from those who superintend over the state,” he said.
Dr. Musa recalled that during his bid for the Lagos State governorship in 2019 under the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP), he had already developed a comprehensive security policy for the state.
“I was the initiator of what I called instant crime response, which would have positioned Lagos State in such a way that once a crime occurs, within seconds or minutes, security operatives would completely cordon off the area,” he explained.
Describing security as a collective responsibility, he noted that everyone has a role to play in intelligence gathering, even without being in uniform.
Drawing from his experience in the United Kingdom, Dr. Musa recounted how security operatives swiftly profiled him as a new entrant in a neighbourhood, leading to a prompt response.
“That is what security is all about. Everybody must take hold of security. You don’t need to wear uniform before you can gather intelligence,” he said.
He also cited China as an example of an effective security model, noting that technology and transport systems are fully integrated into crime prevention strategies.
“In China, every commercial vehicle is fitted with a camera. From the moment you arrive at the airport, your movements are monitored. If anything happens, they can trace your steps hour by hour, day by day,” he said.
According to the security expert, public transport drivers in China are already security-conscious and play an active role in intelligence gathering, a model he said Nigeria should adopt.
He called for policies that would mandate transport operators to install hidden cameras in commercial vehicles and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
“There should be a synergy where transport operators are trained to observe, comprehend conversations, and relay useful intelligence to the right security agencies. If you nip crime at the bud before it germinates, there will be far less crime,” he said.
Dr. Musa, however, warned that compromise and poor intelligence-sharing mechanisms remain major obstacles to effective crime prevention in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of directing intelligence to the appropriate agencies, noting that misplacement of intelligence often leads to inaction.
“If you have intelligence about drug peddling, you don’t take it to the police; that is for the NDLEA. If it is about fire hazards, you take it to the fire service. You must know who to share intelligence with,” he explained.
Dr. Musa concluded that an organised transport system that prioritises safety and security would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s crime-fighting efforts.
“When transport systems are structured to be security-conscious, then you can truly say you have an effective transport system with safety and security,” he added.
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