‘Drones, CCTV not enough to tame bandits, kidnappers’

A Yoruba socio-cultural group, Voice of Reason (VoR) otherwise known as Ohun Agba, has warned the Federal Government and security operatives to look beyond using drones and Close Circuit Television (CCTV) to fight the menace of armed banditry, kidnapping, among other criminal activities in the country.

The group at a briefing addressed by its Chairman, Dr Olufemi Adegoke in Lagos, said taming criminalities and building citizens’ confidence in the security system goes beyond installation of CCTV and drone usage.

It was reported that at a recent meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and some traditional rulers from South West geopolitical zone, the Federal Government gave assurance on the deployment of drones and CCTV on major highways in the region to curb criminal activities.

But at the briefing, Adegoke said, “Nebulous pronouncements of intent to use CCTV or Drones are not enough to enhance the confidence of all ethnic nationalities across Nigeria. Hence, we urge that the security architecture of the nation be reviewed, and that fresh blood and new thinking be injected into the hierarchy of our Armed Forces to enhance their motivation and effectiveness.”

The group called for commencement of state policing, devolution of power through restructuring, improved welfare of the Armed Forces as well as equity and transparency in managing state affairs.