The Federal Ministry of Police Affairs has underscored the critical role of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) and surveillance technologies in modern policing, highlighting recent incidents where their deployment has helped apprehend criminals and improve public safety across Nigeria.
According to the Ministry, CCTV footage was instrumental in the arrest of a notorious armed robbery kingpin, John Samuel, in Epe, Lagos State. The suspect was reportedly captured on camera shooting at victims before escaping with stolen property. “This case underscores how technology can make the difference between impunity and justice,” the Ministry notes.
When the CCTV cameras tell the story
The Ministry recalls earlier cases where surveillance cameras have proven decisive in solving crimes. On January 14, 2021, CCTV cameras in Lekki recorded a thief breaking into a home and stealing valuables, including electronics and a vehicle. However, it adds, such cases remain the exception rather than the rule, as much of Nigeria still lacks adequate surveillance coverage — leaving many crimes unrecorded, unreported, and unresolved.
According to the Ministry, CCTV footage was instrumental in the arrest of a notorious armed robbery kingpin, John Samuel, in Epe, Lagos State. The suspect was reportedly captured on camera shooting at victims before escaping with stolen property. “This case underscores how technology can make the difference between impunity and justice,” the Ministry notes.
The consequences of this limited surveillance capacity were evident on September 23, 2025, when gunmen riding 50 motorcycles attacked several villages in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. The assailants killed a pregnant woman, abducted six others, and operated unchallenged for over four hours. The Ministry describes the incident as “a stark example of ungoverned spaces and delayed security response.”
CCTV and surveillance technology in modern policing
The Ministry identifies CCTV and surveillance drones as vital tools in tackling terrorism, organised crime, and other threats to public safety.
“These technologies can deter crime by making offenders think twice when they know they are being watched,” the Ministry says. “They also help identify suspects through recorded evidence and prevent attacks by enabling preemptive surveillance and swift response.”
It adds that drones and Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs) play a growing role in proactive policing. “A surveillance drone retrieves vital information from criminals hibernating in forest, mountain, and savannah areas, and further analysis enables seamless arrest,” the Ministry explains. TAPVs, it says, enhance officer safety by providing protection against direct and indirect fire, landmines, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Despite these benefits, the Ministry notes that only a few states — including Lagos, Edo, Oyo, and Akwa Ibom — currently operate functional Command and Control Centres. Drone deployment, it adds, remains minimal, allowing criminal groups to exploit unmonitored areas.
The Ministry credits the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) with strengthening police capacity through new equipment and infrastructure.
“Criminals must face continuous pressure from well-equipped security personnel,” the Ministry emphasises. “Deploying surveillance and attack drones mounted on TAPVs across states will help disrupt criminal networks and curb the migration of crime.”
“The Nigeria Police Trust Fund has provided over 200 Buffalo patrol vehicles, protective vests, helmets, and renovated police stations and barracks nationwide,” it says.
Between 2021 and 2025, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) also received 328 operational vehicles, thousands of ballistic vests, and 50 Sudanese horses, alongside advanced training for over 10,000 personnel in counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and hostage negotiation.
Pilot smart divisional police stations have been launched in Mpape (Abuja), Akaeze (Ebonyi), and Ekinrin-Adde (Kogi), while 57 police stations and 14 barracks have been renovated nationwide.
“These measures reflect the government’s commitment,” the Ministry acknowledges, “but they are still not enough to meet the scale and sophistication of Nigeria’s security challenges.”
The way forward To strengthen national security and improve police response, the Ministry outlines a multi-pronged strategy:
- Expanding CCTV coverage across all states and local government areas.
- Deploying surveillance and attack drones mounted on TAPVs for proactive operations across forests, highways, and border regions.
- Equipping divisional police stations with advanced tactical gear to enhance preemptive policing.
- Integrating digital identity systems such as the Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB), the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), and Interpol’s i24/7 network to track false identities and cyber threats.
- Promoting “collective security” through partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, and citizens to install cameras in public spaces and under-policed areas.
The Ministry further notes that as Nigeria moves toward greater local government autonomy, empowering community leaders to take greater responsibility for security and boosting the operational capacity of divisional police stations will be essential.
“Criminals must face continuous pressure from well-equipped security personnel,” the Ministry emphasises. “Deploying surveillance and attack drones mounted on TAPVs across states will help disrupt criminal networks and curb the migration of crime.”
Investing in surveillance for safety
The Ministry states that while Nigeria has the manpower and resolve to tackle crime, inadequate surveillance infrastructure remains a critical weakness.
It calls for urgent investment in CCTV networks, drones, and modern command centres to enhance national security and ensure faster response to emerging threats.
“CCTV and related technologies are not optional,” the Ministry explains. “They are central to delivering effective policing and protecting citizens in every part of Nigeria.”
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