Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has acknowledged that criminals terrorizing Nigeria are increasingly outpacing security agencies. Speaking at Force Headquarters in Abuja during a meeting with commanders of border patrol units, Egbetokun said the criminals are no longer ragtag gangs, but well-funded, technologically savvy, and internationally connected.
He emphasized that these groups use drones, encrypted networks, and falsified documents to stay ahead, making modern technology essential for law enforcement. “We cannot fight 21st-century crime with 20th-century tools,” he stated, urging officers to embrace surveillance systems, drones, biometric scanners, and real-time data analysis.
Egbetokun also highlighted Nigeria’s vast and complex borders, which stretch over 4,000 kilometers on land and include extensive maritime corridors. He warned that porous borders have allowed the inflow of small arms, smuggled goods, and human trafficking, fueling violence and destabilizing communities.