ADOPTION OF INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING STRATEGIES AND TECHNOLOGIES IN COMBATING INSECURITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The changing nature of communities and shifting trend of crime requires that the Nigeria police and role players seek effective strategies to address crime and insecurity in Nigeria. Fundamental changes are needed in the ways information are gathered, assessed, and redistributed by the criminal justice officials, the military and security agencies. The Nigeria police and role players have not been able to win war against crime due to the approaches adopted by them. Many have come up with different theories and recommendations to tackle insecurity in Nigeria, but the strategies were not effective. The paper focuses on the adoption of intelligence led policing strategies, approaches and technologies to combat insecurity in Nigeria. Data was obtained qualitatively; interview technique was used to elicit information from fifty-five participants. Findings reveals that, insecurity has spread to all states of Nigeria, criminals are in possession of sophisticated weapons, incessant killings and kidnappings of Nigerians are predominant, police still rely on reactive model of policing. Recommendations includes; need for increased collaboration, information gathering and intelligence sharing, need for adoption of intelligence led policing strategies, approaches methodologies, technique and technologies for tackling insecurity in Nigeria.