The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has acknowledged that criminals terrorizing Nigerians across the country are currently outpacing security agencies in many ways. Speaking at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting with commanders of all border patrol units, Egbetokun revealed that these criminals are no longer ragtag groups but highly sophisticated, well-funded, and internationally connected, employing advanced technology in their operations.
“Let me say this to you: when you mount a checkpoint, block a smuggling route, or rescue a victim, you are not just doing your job; you are shaping the future of Nigeria,” the IGP emphasized.
He warned that the threats faced by the nation are evolving rapidly, noting, “Criminal groups are no longer ragtag gangs. They are sophisticated, well-funded, and international. They use drones, falsified documents, and encrypted networks to stay ahead.”
Egbetokun stressed the need for the police to upgrade their tools and tactics, saying, “We cannot fight 21st-century crime with 20th-century tools. That is why we must embrace technology – surveillance systems, drones, biometric scanners, real-time data analysis. These are not luxuries; they are necessities.”
He pledged continued efforts to ensure that every frontline officer is equipped to meet the growing sophistication of criminals, before the meeting proceeded to a closed-door session.
Daily Trust reports that the major criminals disrupting Nigeria’s internal security include bandits, terrorists, gunmen, and oil thieves, among others.
The IGP also highlighted Nigeria’s vast and complex borders, which stretch over 4,000 kilometers on land and include extensive maritime corridors to the Gulf of Guinea.
“These borders are more than lines on a map; they are the arteries through which trade, culture, and human connection flow. However, they can also be the cracks through which danger slips in,” he said.
Egbetokun stated that for too long, the porosity of Nigeria’s borders has been exploited. “We have seen the inflow of small arms and light weapons that fuel violence in our villages and cities. We have seen contraband goods smuggled in, crippling our local industries. We have seen vulnerable women and children deceived and trafficked across borders. We have confronted terrorists and criminal syndicates who take advantage of these weaknesses to infiltrate and destabilize our communities,” he added.
