It was July 5th, 2022, a few hours after midnight at a time when most residents of Kuje, one of the six satellite towns bordering Nigeria?s administrative city centre, Abuja, were sound asleep.

The peaceful slumber was however shattered by the sounds of heavy gunfire and explosions which were later traced to the famous Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre. The Centre has built a reputation for being host to white-collar suspects and convicted felons.

As the population of Nigeria?s capital city grew, so did the nature of crime evolve. The centre became a temporary holding facility for terror suspects brought in from several other states, especially Borno in the North-East. On this day, the custodial centre was under terrorist attack.

The terrorists reportedly launched three simultaneous attacks from different sides of the prison.

Some reports indicated that the coordinated armed assault took approximately 50 minutes from start to finish. While the attack lasted, it was reported that leaders of detainees linked to the terror group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Boko Haram, gave a 15-minute long sermon to members of the group and others within the facility moments before they broke out.

When the dust settled, over 879 detainees, including 68 imprisoned Boko Haram members disappeared into thin air.

Security experts who later reviewed the incident, described the attack as well-coordinated, with the terrorists using gunfire to overpower security guards and gain access into the facility.

The incident was particularly alarming given the prison?s location in Abuja, Nigeria?s capital city, and its reputation as one of Nigeria?s most secure cities.

When incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari received news of the incident, he was livid as was expected, and expressed his disappointment during a visit to the custodial centre hours later.

Sadly, the Kuje jailbreak as it came to be known was not an isolated incident; it was part of a larger trend of jailbreaks and terrorist attacks across similar institutions across Nigeria. In fact, reports had it that it was the 11th prison break in the country within two years at the time.

One of several lapses identified by investigators was the surprisingly non-functional and in most instances, the absence of Close -close-circuit television cameras, CCTV, and command centres.

During the Kuje incident, investigators found that the few CCTV cameras mounted around the prison were non-functional. It was shocking that despite having these cameras installed within the facility, they failed to provide any meaningful surveillance or alert the authorities about the impending attack.

The incident highlighted the need for functional and well-maintained security systems in sensitive areas like custodial centres, public buildings, highways, banks, schools, hospitals, recreational centres and other public institutions.

Following the attack, the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, directed the Nigerian Correctional Service to ensure that all correctional facilities, including the Kuje prison, are equipped with functional CCTV cameras to prevent similar incidents in the future. And the matter was confined to the dustbins of history.

However, the scourge of kidnappings for ransom soon joined the list of violent crimes which became a source of worry and embarrassment to the Federal Government.

Apart from the kidnapp of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, in Borno State during the Jonathan era in 2002, the scourge took another worrisome dimension under president Buhari and his successor, Bola Tinubu.

Abductions for ransom are now the order of the day

Apart from random travellers being picked off on highways, individuals are now being trailed and picked up from their homes.

Nineteen (19) people including Mr. Chris Agidy, a Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), were abducted from their homes in the Galadimawa Area of Abuja.

A statement issued by the Senator?s office conveyed the gravity of the situation, stating, ?It is with profound concern and heavy hearts that we address the recent kidnapping incident in Galadimawa, Abuja, involving multiple individuals, including the Senator?s esteemed Senior Legislative Aide, Barrister Chris Agidy.?

It added, ?Approximately two weeks ago, 19 individuals were forcefully taken from their homes in the Galadimawa area of Abuja.

?Senator Nwoko took immediate action, contacting the Commissioner of Police and activating the OC Anti-Kidnapping team to secure the release of those abducted.

?Regrettably, updates from reliable police sources confirm that 12 out of the 19 individuals abducted have been killed, while seven remain in the custody of the kidnappers.?

CCTV contactor vanishes with $490 million

These murders which happened in 2024, led to renewed calls for another round of investigations into the award of the contract whose cost according to some estimates had risen from an initial sum of $490 USD million to $500 USD million with inflation and interests.

Senator Adamu Aliero, who as Minister of the FCT, when the contract was awarded using the $490 million USD obtained from a Chinese Bank, admitted to his colleagues the he was indeed the person that awarded the contract but that the contractor ?disappeared with the money?.

The contract which included the installation of closed-circuit television, CCTV, cameras and the setting up of command centres in Abuja, was designed to improve security in the capital city, but has since become a subject of controversy owing to its alleged poor execution/ implementation.

Aliero, like most of his colleagues who spoke passionately during the debate, unanimously resolved to institute a probe.

Late Yar?Adua conceived CCTV project

The installation of CCTV cameras was initially conceived by the administration of late President Umaru Yar?Adua in 2008, during a visit to China.

The $490million Chinese loan CCTV project was a highly publicized agreement between the Nigerian government and the Chinese government in 2010. The project aimed to provide a comprehensive surveillance system for Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, using advanced Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) technology. The project was intended to enhance security, reduce crime, and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors in Abuja.

Background

Following the upsurge of insecurity in Abuja, the President Goodluck Jonathan administration which was a continuation of the Yar?Adua Presidency, approved the contract for the installation of CCTV, in strategic parts of the FCT to enable security agencies identify, prevent and solve crimes fast as is done in many countries.

The contract, worth $490 million, was awarded to a Chinese firm, ZTE Corporation. The financing was provided through a loan obtained from China, with about 10 per cent counterpart funding by the Federal Government.

It was also to come along with the Global Trunk Tracking technology which was also suitable for election monitoring, result verification and disaster control. It had been successfully installed and deployed and is in use in nations such as Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and Malaysia.

The project was awarded to the Chinese company, ZTE Corporation, which specializes in telecommunications and information technology. The project had a timeline of 18 months from start to completion. However, it faced significant delays and challenges and eventually joined the long list of abandoned Federal Government projects.

CCTV project objectives

The CCTV project was designed to cover the entire city of Abuja, with a network of over 1,000 cameras installed at strategic locations, including major highways, intersections, and public buildings.

The project also included the installation of a command and control centre, where security personnel could monitor and respond to incidents in real-time.

However, despite the initial excitement and expectations surrounding this laudable project, more than a decade later, the project is still incomplete, and many of the cameras which were initially installed have either been vandalized or outrightly stolen. Poles and empty cases of equipment litter highways and some strategic locations within and outside the Abuja City Centre.

The CCTV project has faced several challenges, including: Funding issues: The project has been plagued by funding issues, with the Federal Government struggling to meet its financial obligations to the Chinese government.

There have also been a lot of technical issues -including problems with the cameras and the command and control centre.

However, the biggest of all of the challenges which eventually led to its abandonment was corruption.

There have been allegations of corruption surrounding the project, with some officials accused of embezzling funds meant for its completion.

The handful of cameras initially installed were found to be defective and poorly maintained which led to reduced functionality.

There have been allegations that the loan was mismanaged or stolen, and that the project was abandoned after the contractor, ZTE Corporation, collected an upfront payment of $100 million. The Federal Government has been criticized for its poor handling of the whole project, and there have also been calls for greater transparency and accountability.

Successive members of the Nigerian legislature have at one point or another demanded for and even carried out probes aimed at establishing the complicity of government officials, contractors and others accused of bungling the project. Very little, if anything has come out of it.

7th House of Reps found project was abandoned

An investigation by the Seventh House of Representatives (2011 to 2015) found that the project had largely been abandoned, and the little done was with substandard equipment. Legislators in both the Senate and House of Representatives made the right noises but failed to take appropriate action that could lead to arrests and possible prosecution of persons involved involved in the deal which has remained one of several instances where Nigeria?s seriousness to fight corruption has been called to question.

Another investigation by the Eighth House of Representatives (2015 to 2019) was able to identify some individuals connected with the contract. In January 2017, the probe indicted the Ministers of Police Affairs who served under Jonathan between 2010 and 2014. These were Alhaji Adamu Waziri, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) and Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan. Also named was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, James Obeigbu.

The Muhammadu Buhari administration which announced that it would fight corruption to ?a standstill,? was unable to prosecute these suspects.

It was particularly disturbing that Zainab Ahmed, Buhari?s Minister of Finance, told a bewildered nation that Nigeria is still repaying the Chinese loan for this project.

Buhari tried to revive project

In 2019, the Federal Government announced that the project had been abandoned due to a lack of funding and technical issues. However, in 2020, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government announced plans to revive the project, with a new completion date set for 2023, a pledge that remained a pledge until he left office.

An advocacy group, Social-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, sued the Federal Government over its failure to address the problem. Federal High Court Judge, Emeka Nwite, ordered President Buhari to account for the spending. The order was yet to be complied with up till President Tinubu took office in 2023.

A retired Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, told Vanguard that the importance of the use of technology including the installation of CCTV cameras in the prevention and detection of crime cannot be over-emphasized in today?s world.

He described the failure of the $490 million CCTV project in Abuja as a national embarrassment and a contributor to crimes being committed in an around the city.

He expressed the opinion that it would be a disservice to Nigeria and Nigerians for all those involved in what he described as a clear case of mismanagement of public funds to be allowed to roam the streets without answering for their crimes.

Ejiofor said, ?The lack of such surveillance cameras in a big city like Abuja, is not only encouraging the commission of crimes but it also makes it difficult to detect when they are committed.

?In modern cities of the world, there are CCTV Cameras mounted in strategic areas. It is not as if it completely prevents crimes from being committed but it helps to alert security officials sometimes when crimes are about to being committed and in cases where they are committed, it helps investigators detect crimes and criminals.

?CCTV footages can be reviewed and investigators can unravel what ordinarily can be considered mysterious. Suspects can be quickly identified and arrested for prosecution.?

He further said, ?About ten years ago, over $490 million was borrowed from a foriegn bank for the installation of such cameras in Abuja. But these funds were looted. I expect that by now, those involved should have been investigated and the funds recovered. People cannot just come and collect public funds like that without questions being asked.

?These are the areas I expect the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should be asking questions.?

CCTV coverage helps prevent crimes ? Security consultant

Speaking in a similar vein, Kenneth Philip, a Private Security Consultant, noted that most cities in the developed world today enjoy enhanced security largely due to the fact that technology provides the needed layer of security needed to secure the environment.

He said, ?Crimes hardly go undetected in cities such as: Tel Aviv in Israel, Madrid in Spain or London in the United Kingdom. We are not even talking of places like the United States of America, Dubai, China, Germany and Korea. All of these places have one thing in common, a technically advanced CCTV coverage.

?Aside from the publicity-funded ones, individuals and corporate entities are equally encouraged to install the same in their homes and workplaces.

?All of this is to support the publicly funded ones. CCTV footage played a key role in unraveling the mystery surrounding the terrorist attacks in London in the mid -2000s.

?It is a shame that the incident in Kuje prison happened and we are yet to get the full details of what transpired.?

Philip, who also took time to express disappointment with what he described as the contribution of the failed Abuja CCTV project to crime within the city, said, ?Isn?t it embarrassing that manhole covers were picked right from under street lights without a trace?

?If the Abuja CCTV project was completed I?m almost certain that such a petty crime would have been nipped in the bud before it became the epidemic it is today.?

The two security officials noted that the federal government needs to take urgent steps to complete the project and ensure it is functioning effectively.

Security experts proffer solutions

They separately recommended that the Federal Government should prioritize completion of the project and ensure that it becomes functional.

They equally urged government to also ensure that the facilities when provided are properly maintained and that the cameras should be of the highest quality available while government should also consider expanding the project to other cities in Nigeria, to enhance security and reduce crime nationwide.

They were equally of the view that those who bungled the initial project should be investigated and if found guilty be made to refund misappropriated funds and equally serve time in jail to serve as deterrent to other potential offenders.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has said his administration strengthened the nation?s security apparatus to enable it tackle effectively the emerging security challenges confronting the country.

Tinubu, who stated this while declaring open the 5th edition of the conference and retreat for senior police officers, CARSPO, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, affirmed that his administration recognised the importance of security in the socio-economic development of a nation and, therefore, strengthened its operational capabilities by providing adequate equipment to confront emergencies and effectively combat crime.

Represented by his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, the President called on Nigerians to actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society, adding that policing would not succeed without the cooperation of the people.

He said: ?While the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally empowered to maintain internal security, protect lives and property, and uphold public order, it is essential to recognise that security is a shared responsibility; communities and citizens must actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society.

?No matter how funded, no matter how well equipped, it cannot succeed without the cooperation of the people it serves. Public engagement and trust are central to the process of inclusive policing.?

The President reaffirmed his administration?s commitment to enhancing the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force by ensuring that it was more effective and well-positioned to fulfill its constitutional mandate as the lead agency in internal security.

He said the federal government was working to bridge existing security, infrastructure, and recruitment gaps through a comprehensive and sustainable programme which, he said, would include renovating police barracks, improving mobility and upgrading essential combat and protective gear.

The new minimum wage, Tinubu reiterated, was one of several measures by the federal government to enhance the welfare of the Nigerian workforce, including police personnel, adding that his government would continue to collaborate with the police leadership to provide financial incentives to motivate officers and all security personnel to perform at their highest level.

He maintained that his administration has introduced various reforms aimed at restoring investors? confidence, stabilizing the microeconomic environment and reducing inflation.

?We are also taking measures to instill peace, stabilize the foreign exchange market, and eliminate financial leakages by removing fuel and electricity subsidies,? he said.

The President said his administration was investing in road and rail infrastructure through public-private partnerships, PPP, to lower transportation costs, expand market accessibility, boost productivity, and create much-needed jobs.

President Tinubu, while acknowledging that the theme of the Conference, ?Improving Nigeria?s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing,? aligned with his administration?s core objectives, said he was committed to fostering economic growth by leveraging the vast potential of the country?s human and natural resources.

Also speaking, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, described security as the cornerstone of any thriving environment, adding that a secure society was a place everyone felt safe and protected.

While adding that inclusive policing was about understanding the unique needs of the people, Governor Abiodun noted that a policing system that actively engaged with local communities, upheld human rights, and prioritised transparency was essential in combating crime and ensuring lasting peace.

The governor added that security remained a top priority of his administration, and consistently supported the police and other security agencies in the state through strategic partnerships and continuous investment in modern security infrastructure and technology.

He said: ?We must build a policing system where every Nigerian, regardless of background, believes that law enforcement agents are their friends and that they are there to protect them and not to oppress them.

?Law enforcement officers must uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethical conduct, and accountability.

?The police force that earns public trust will find citizens willing to provide them with intelligence, report crimes, and actively participate in security efforts.?

The governor also added that his administration would make available to the police force electric-powered motorcycles, just as some drones capable of facial recognition and number plates up to 8,000 meters would also be made available to them.

He said: ?As crime becomes more sophisticated, security forces must evolve; they must integrate technology-driven solutions such as surveillance drones for monitoring high-risk vast areas, particularly for timely emergency response.

?We?ve also provided data-driven crime mapping capabilities to predict and prevent criminal activities.

?We should also ensure that we begin to look at artificial intelligence so that this can allow us to ensure that we are proactive.??

Earlier in his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, noted that as the country continued to confront complex threats, such as violent crimes, cyber-related offences, terrorism and transnational organised crimes, it was important that intelligence-led policing remained at the core of its operations.

The IGP also disclosed that the police force was committed to deepening strategic partnerships with both domestic and international security agencies, while enhancing community engagement to bolster public trust and promote active citizen participation in policing.

He said the reorganisation of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, and other specialized units had been a priority, thus ensuring that force detectives operated in line with globally accepted best practices. (Vanguard)

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