The Registrar of the Institute of Criminology and Strategic Studies (ICSS), Wale Amusa, has urged the government to invest more in security technology to strengthen crime prevention and improve public safety.

Mr Amusa made the call on Wednesday during a Community Development Committee leadership workshop on community security at Magretta Hall, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba, Lagos.

Speaking on “Early Warning and Emergency Response Systems on Criminality and Safety,” he said crime prevention must focus on detecting threats before they occur.

“Crime prevention must start before the crime happens. We need systems that detect threats early,” he said.

Mr Amusa said early warning systems involve risk identification, surveillance, threat analysis and timely dissemination of intelligence.

He added that effective emergency response required functional communication centres and rapid deployment of security agencies.

He identified terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, cybercrime, cultism and drug trafficking as major threats to public safety.

Mr Amusa cited a recent kidnapping case in Oyo State, saying drone technology helped security agencies locate the kidnappers.

“In the Oyo State kidnapping case, it was drone technology that identified the location of the bandits,” he said.

According to him, artificial intelligence, closed-circuit television, drones, geographic information systems and social media monitoring can enhance early crime detection.

He, however, said the government must provide adequate funding and infrastructure for the technologies to deliver expected results.

“Security is everyone’s business. Traditional rulers and residents must partner with security agencies,” he said.

Mr Amusa urged sustained investment in technology, intelligence gathering and community policing to build resilient and safer communities. 

(NAN)