A retired military general, Major General Nicholas Rogers, and a software engineer, Joseph Ekeh, have collaborated to unveil iLert247, a real-time emergency response application designed to help tackle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping in Nigeria. The app was developed in the United Kingdom and aims to bridge gaps in community-level intelligence and emergency dispatch. It is set to shorten response times when people are in danger.
The iLert247 platform consists of three linked components: the iLert247 mobile application for users, the iSmart display dashboard for command centres, and the iLert SOS network, which routes real-time data directly to security agencies. According to Ekeh, users can raise an alarm by double-tapping a red button on their phone, automatically sending their exact GPS coordinates and live satellite imagery to control centres and law enforcement units without the need for a voice call.
The app allows users to select the type of threat they are facing, such as robbery, terrorism, or kidnapping, and upload voice recordings, photographs, or videos when conditions permit. Ekeh highlighted that conventional international emergency channels typically take 13 to 15 seconds to establish initial voice contact, whereas iLert247 processes a distress signal and broadcasts the user’s location to nearby security personnel in two seconds or less.
Recent global test runs have verified the app's ability to pinpoint users' locations across international borders using near-real-time satellite tracking and distribution of the app’s installation file (APK). Major General Nicholas Rogers emphasized that technology must reinforce traditional security operations, adding that satellite geolocation tools could protect vulnerable rural communities and prevent ambushes on troops by giving security forces early situational awareness.
Rogers stated that the project team is engaging stakeholders to integrate the platform into national security structures, with outreach underway with the Ministry of Defence, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as several state governments. Partnership discussions are ongoing with the Plateau State Government to ensure a smooth rollout.
The developers are calling on federal and state governments to prioritize dedicated funding and technology integration to equip frontline personnel and improve response readiness across the 36 states. The public rollout of iLert247 is scheduled for October 8, when the app is expected to be available on major global app stores, marking a significant step forward in Nigeria's fight against terrorism and kidnapping.
Key points
- The iLert247 app can process a distress signal and broadcast a user's location to nearby security personnel in two seconds or less.
- The app allows users to select the type of threat they are facing and upload voice recordings, photographs, or videos.
- The developers are seeking dedicated funding and technology integration from governments to support the app's deployment.
