By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Prof Abiodun Amuda Kannike, SAN, has advocated the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software such as robots to check criminal networks in Nigeria.
He made the call on Wednesday in Ilorin at a one-day Workshop on Incessant Kidnappings and Killings in Nigeria, themed: The Role of Government vis-à-vis The Nigerian Constitution, which was organised by the Department of Jurisprudence and Public Law of the KWASU.
The programme attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including the security chiefs, the judiciary, academics, and students.
Top attendees included the Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, Dr. Umar Mohammed; Deputy Commissioner of Police Kwara State, DCP Idachaba Friday Adamu; Controller Oyeniran Famuwagun from Nigerian Correctional Service; Director of Public Prosecutions, Kwara State Ministry of Justice, Ayoola Idowu Akande; Prof Oba Abdulhameed; and dozens of law students.
Prof Amuda-kannike said it is high time the security personnel were empowered to go electronic rather than chasing kidnappers by physical means, noting that this would improve service delivery in that sector.
He described as enormous and devastating the effects of insecurity on the nation’s economy, social life and political environment, advising Nigerians to always assist security agencies with useful information to expose and prosecute crimes.
“We all have to assist the security agencies on intelligence gathering to work with. It has to be by secret or direct information to the security operatives, because information is key to stop the tide of incessant killings and kidnapping in this country,” he said.
He requested the governments to provide job opportunities for the teeming youths so that they can be meaningfully engaged as a way of addressing security challenges.
Dr Mariam Bayero Jimoh, former Dean, Faculty of Law, Al-hikmah University, in her lecture, said there was the need for governments to deepen the citizens’ access to socio economic benefits to reduce the crime rate in Nigeria.
She noted that it is no longer the job of the government alone to secure our lives and properties, asking everybody in society to live up to the task of ensuring sustainable peace.
“We should play our part by giving the security agencies the right information to crack down on criminals,” she said.
Acting Head of Department of Jurisprudence and Public Law, Dr Kafayat Yetunde Olatinwo, in her introductory remarks, said the workshop was part of the social responsibility of the faculty to brainstorm on the solutions to various security challenges confronting the nation.
She said whatever views and recommendations they harvested at the end of the programme will be presented to appropriate authorities for immediate action, hoping this would further assist in proffering solutions to the security challenges in the country.