Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has called for a sweeping transformation of Nigeria’s security framework through the integration of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to combat rising insecurity.
Speaking at the Kogi Security Summit held in Abuja, the governor said traditional security measures are no longer adequate to address the growing sophistication of criminal networks across the country.
Zulum urged security agencies and stakeholders to adopt modern tools such as surveillance drones, biometric identification systems, and predictive analytics to enhance intelligence gathering and prevent attacks before they occur.
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“For us to address insecurity, we need to possess modern technological warfare; technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics are now deployed to combat crime,” he said.
The Borno State governor stressed that security should not be left solely in the hands of law enforcement agencies. He called for greater public participation through community policing and citizen-led intelligence efforts.
Beyond technological upgrades, Zulum highlighted the importance of tackling the root causes of insecurity. He identified poverty, unemployment, and poor infrastructure as major drivers of instability, warning that failure to address these issues would continue to fuel criminal activities.
“While it is critical to purchase equipment such as vehicles, MRAPs, drones and other facilities to confront insecurity, most importantly, without addressing underlying factors such as poverty, road infrastructure, and agriculture, insecurity will not end,” he said.
He also pointed to broader challenges such as climate change and illiteracy, urging policymakers to consider the socio-economic and political dimensions of insecurity in developing long-term solutions.
“The security of lives and property is the cardinal objective of any administration. The nexus between peace and security cannot be overemphasised. It is only when there is security that there will be peace; and without peace, there will be no development,” Zulum added.
The governor attended the summit alongside Bukar Talba, who represents Marte, Monguno, and Nganzai Federal Constituency.
