Police join forces with Telecos to tackle kidnapping, other crimes

The Police Force has agreed to partner telecommunication companies in the country to establish a nationwide surveillance system to tackle incidences of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country.

The surveillance system includes the installations of cameras on telecoms masts in different parts of the country while all the telecommunication companies will provide cameras that will be installed on their masts.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu represented by Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in charge of Information and Communication Technology, Godwin Nwobodo, made this known on Tuesday at a meeting with telecommunication stakeholders in Abuja.

He said:

“The advent of Global System of Mobile (GSM), communication in Nigeria brought about a lot of positive innovations including integrating the country into the globalized world.

“These positive trends came with attendant negatives such as increase in crimes including increase in armed robbery, transnational crimes, insurgency and kidnapping among others.

“It is common knowledge that GSM communications enhances planning and coordination of these criminal activities.

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“These crimes especially kidnapping has become so prevalent all over the country and has reached an alarming embarrassing level, necessitating urgent and drastic interventions.”

Adamu, who expressed optimism about collaborations with the telecoms firms said:

“The intervention from the NPF and sister security agencies will necessitate partnering telecommunications companies in deploying a nationwide surveillance system via the existing GSM cell site.

“This will entail the provision of two surveillance Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras each by the telecoms companies on all telecom masts across the country.

“The camera is cost effective and has a great outdoor performance and is currently used in China and Dubai.

“The cameras with their Internet Protocol (IP) address will, in turn, be remotely connected to the nearest Divisional Police Stations, Area Commands, Command and Control centre or server room at the police headquarters, Abuja.

“The telecoms operators are mandated to provide at least 200 sim cards per state to be used by the police body cam and vehicular system with an unlimited data plan to support the project as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.”

The force also urged the stakeholders to assist it in the establishment of an ICT Centre and e-library that will enable it carry out its duties effectively while the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, solicited the support of the IGP to arrest and persecute criminals who vandalize their infrastructure.

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