Confronting The Challenges of Insecurity in Ondo State: The Role of Geospatial Surveillance and Mapping

Abstract

The situation of insecurity in Nigeria has ignited different levels of government to form their security networks. One such effort was made by the Ondo State Government by creating Amotekun Security Network for Ondo State. This is to improve the security of life and property of people in the state. This was a result of the persistent siege laid by marauders on the highways and farms in the state. There is no doubt about the good intensions of the Governor which he has backed up with action in the inauguration of Amotekun Security Network for Ondo State. However, the trend of combatting crime and terrorism in this 21st century has gone more sophisticated to the extent that conventional security architecture has become grossly inadequate, thus the need to upgrade security architecture to the level whereby security system and the personnel can combat the crime and even nip it in the bud before attacks. This can only be possible by complementing the conventional structure with available geospatial apparatus for security surveillance in confronting the challenges of insecurity not only in Ondo State but Nigeria at large. This paper thus appraises the challenges of insecurity in Ondo State and the role of geospatial surveillance and mapping. The paper was based on a review of literature and qualitative technique of analysis. This paper was structured into background information about Ondo State, an overview of security challenges in Nigeria with attention on Ondo State, the take-off of Ondo State Security Network Agency called Amotekun, and highlights on geospatial technology solutions for security surveillance in confronting insecurity challenges. This paper thus concludes that insecurity in Ondo State and the entire Nigeria could be curbed if security network can be complemented with geospatial surveillance and mapping technique.