The Nigeria Police Force has been investing in technology to combat crimes, but a BusinessDay investigation found that several projects have been abandoned, despite billions of naira being spent. One such project was a $470 million security project awarded to Chinese technology company ZTE in 2010. The project aimed to create a nationwide communications network with 2,000 surveillance cameras for Lagos and Abuja, hundreds of base stations, emergency communication, e-policing infrastructure, and command-and-control capabilities.
The investigation revealed that the $470 million project, as well as subsequent projects, have fallen into disrepair. In Lagos, BusinessDay visited several locations where the security gadgets were installed, but found that maintenance workers had stopped visiting the sites about five years ago. At Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Alausa, a security guard reported that the maintenance workers had stopped coming, and the equipment had been left to deteriorate.
Further investigation showed that billions of naira continued to be budgeted for police technology projects, but official records gave conflicting accounts of whether the projects had begun. One such project was the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Modern Intelligent Smart E-Policing Infrastructure at the Force Headquarters in Abuja and State CID formations nationwide. The project code received allocations of N122.37 million in 2019, N602.27 million in 2020, N134.63 million in 2021, and N825.43 million in 2022, totaling about N2.89 billion.
Despite the continuous spending on police technology, crime rates remain high in Nigeria. According to Nextier, an intelligence and research firm, 2,452 people were kidnapped in 2024 alone, with national highways being vulnerable to abductions. Between July 2024 and June 2025, SBM Intelligence recorded 997 kidnapping incidents involving at least 4,722 abducted people and 762 deaths.
The Nigeria Police Force has claimed to be expanding its use of technology, including telecom surveillance and device tracking, to fight kidnapping and violent crimes. However, the investigation found that the existing infrastructure has not been properly maintained, rendering it ineffective. The police force has not provided clear explanations for the abandonment of the projects or the lack of maintenance.
The abandoned projects have left citizens vulnerable to crimes, particularly in areas with high crime rates. The lack of maintenance and upkeep of the surveillance technology has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the police force in addressing crime. The investigation highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds for police technology projects.
The Nigeria Police Force must take steps to address the issue of abandoned projects and ensure that existing infrastructure is properly maintained. This includes providing clear explanations for the abandonment of projects, taking steps to complete or revive them, and ensuring that future projects are properly planned and executed. The police force must also prioritize the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure to ensure its effectiveness in addressing crime.
Key points
- The Nigeria Police Force has abandoned several surveillance technology projects despite spending billions of naira.
- The abandoned projects have left citizens vulnerable to crimes, particularly in areas with high crime rates.
- The police force must take steps to address the issue of abandoned projects and ensure that existing infrastructure is properly maintained.
