Some security experts have called on the federal government to make substantial investments in geospatial intelligence technology to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, arguing that many of the country’s high-profile mass abductions could have been prevented with advanced surveillance and intelligence systems.
The experts made the call during a virtual dialogue organised by the WeweNetwork Afrique, where they stressed that modern security threats require intelligence-driven responses rather than reliance on conventional military operations alone.
A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Defence and Security Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Prof. Sunday Adejoh, said Nigeria’s growing insecurity demands a shift from purely kinetic military operations to technology-driven intelligence gathering.
According to him, geospatial intelligence has become a game changer in modern security operations because it enables security agencies to identify, monitor and track criminal elements hiding in difficult terrains, particularly forests and other ungoverned spaces.
“Military operations are not just kinetic because the threats we now deal with are non-conventional, requiring non-conventional approaches,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s vast landmass, large population and numerous ungoverned spaces make investment in geospatial intelligence imperative.
“The insecurity challenge is enormous, and I see a gap in the current approach. One area we need to invest in is geospatial intelligence. With geospatial technology, you can track and locate enemies where they are hiding,” Adejoh added.
Also speaking, former Minister of State for Power and holder of a doctorate degree in Defence and Security Studies, Dr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, said Nigeria must embrace geospatial intelligence to obtain real-time information needed to combat emerging security threats.
He explained that while human intelligence remains important, it has limitations that can be complemented by technology capable of providing real-time data and analysis.
“We have seen a lot of coordinated attacks by terrorists and bandits. There are certain things human intelligence cannot do. We need real-time data and analysis of areas of concern,” he said.
According to him, the technology would not only help security agencies monitor criminal movements but also strengthen border security by tracking the influx of illicit arms into the country.
“It will help secure our borders, track illicit arms into our country, monitor the movement of people, identify their locations and know exactly where they are,” he said.
Jedy-Agba argued that the deployment of geospatial intelligence could have prevented some of Nigeria’s most tragic mass abductions.
“With geospatial intelligence, the Chibok girls wouldn’t have happened. It would have tracked them down,” he said.
He added that the benefits of the technology extend beyond security, noting that it can also be deployed to predict floods, landslides and other natural disasters, enabling authorities to respond proactively.
“The government should see the importance of this and buy into it. It is the in thing globally. Security threats are not tackled with boots on the ground anymore,” he added.
On his part, Executive Director of the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company and a doctorate holder in Defence and Security Studies, Prof. Dimla Joel Nchinney, described geospatial intelligence as a vital crime prevention tool capable of serving as an early warning system.
“The real solution lies in using data and intelligence to pre-empt security threats even before they occur. We must stay ahead,” he said.
Nchinney also called for greater capacity building among security agencies and improved inter-agency collaboration, lamenting that some agencies with advanced technological capabilities often fail to share intelligence and expertise with others.
“A lot more needs to be done in terms of building the capacity of security agencies and improving inter-agency collaboration. From my experience, security agencies that have this capacity are hoarding it instead of sharing it with others,” he said.
The experts and co-authors of the book “Geospatial Intelligence In Complex Security Environment,” agreed that adopting geospatial intelligence would significantly improve Nigeria’s security architecture while also enhancing disaster risk management and national planning.
Participants at the meeting also called for greater accountability in Nigeria’s military budgeting, stressing that increased funding must be matched with transparency and measurable improvements in intelligence gathering, technology acquisition and operational effectiveness.
They further advocated a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that addressing the country’s security challenges requires far-reaching institutional reforms beyond the current structure.
Speaking on the recommendations, Dr Otive Igbuzor, Member board of directors action aid. Founder African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, said the debate should not be limited to the establishment of state police, but should also focus on strengthening the entire security system through improved training, increased manpower and better welfare for security personnel.
“It is not just about state police alone. We must ensure that these reforms trickle down to training, manpower development and the welfare of security personnel. Without investing in the people who provide security, technological investments alone will not deliver the desired results,” he said.
The organisers, WeweNetwork Afrique, said the dialogue forms part of a continuous engagement with stakeholders, security experts and relevant agencies aimed at generating practical recommendations for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.