A Lesson From Gombe Police
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin-City
The Gombe State Police Command is taking a big step towards modern policing. It has partnered with Galaxy Backbone Limited to improve security through technology. This partnership aims to make policing more effective and responsive. The police will now use digital tools to fight crime and keep people safe.
The new Commissioner of Police in Gombe, CP Bello Yahaya, is leading this change. He understands that technology can help the police work faster and smarter. During his visit to Galaxy Backbone’s regional office in Gombe, he asked for support to improve security. He believes that technology will make it easier for officers to monitor crime and respond quickly.
Galaxy Backbone Limited is a federal government-owned ICT company. It provides digital solutions to different government agencies in Nigeria. One of its key projects is the Safe City Emergency Command Centre. This centre helps security agencies monitor public spaces in real time. It uses cameras, sensors, and communication tools to track criminal activities. This system allows the police to see what is happening in different locations at the same time. It also helps them respond quickly to emergencies.
The Safe City Emergency Command Centre is part of a bigger project called the National Information and Communications Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) project. The NICTIB project was created to improve digital communication across Nigeria. It connects different government agencies, including the police, through a secure internet network. This makes it easier for agencies to share information and work together. With this system, the police can send and receive reports instantly. They can also access databases to check criminal records and track suspects.
CP Bello Yahaya wants the police in Gombe to benefit from these advanced tools. He believes that using digital surveillance will help officers catch criminals faster. He also wants police officers to receive training on how to use these new technologies. This will make them more effective in their work.
The regional coordinator of Galaxy Backbone, Ibrahim Bello, welcomed the police commissioner’s request. He assured the police that Galaxy Backbone is ready to help. He explained that the Safe City Emergency Command Centre will provide real-time intelligence. This means that the police will receive instant updates about any suspicious activities. The system can also detect threats before they happen. This will help prevent crimes instead of just reacting to them.
This partnership is an important lesson for other states in Nigeria. Many parts of the country struggle with insecurity. Kidnapping, armed robbery, and terrorism are serious problems. Traditional policing methods are not enough to stop these crimes. Criminals are using advanced technology, and the police must do the same. By using digital tools, the police can track criminals more effectively.
The Safe City Emergency Command Centre can also improve emergency response. If a crime or accident happens, the system can alert the police immediately. Officers can then respond faster and reduce the chances of further harm. The centre also allows different security agencies to work together. The police, military, and other emergency responders can share information and coordinate their actions.
This is a major improvement from the past when security agencies worked separately. Lack of communication has often caused delays in responding to crimes. But with this new system, information flows quickly between agencies. This makes it easier to prevent crime and protect people.
Gombe State is showing other states the way forward. If more police commands adopt this system, Nigeria will become a safer place. Governments at all levels should invest in digital security infrastructure. The federal government must also expand the NICTIB project to cover all states.
The police also need proper training to use these new systems effectively. Officers must learn how to operate surveillance cameras, track criminal activities, and use digital records. This will help them carry out investigations more efficiently.
Technology has changed the way the world works. Crime has become more sophisticated, and policing must evolve as well. The Gombe Police Command’s partnership with Galaxy Backbone is a step in the right direction. Other states should learn from this and embrace digital security solutions.
