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Insecurity: Nigeria to deploy robots, artificial intelligence to fight criminals – Senate

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5 years ago

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Senate Chamber
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…urges security agencies to collaborate with Communications Ministry on abetting crime

 The Senate on Wednesday said that the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has established a centre for artificial intelligence and robotics to deploy the use of robots and artificial intelligence in combating crime and criminality in Nigeria.

The revelation came to the fore when the upper chamber considered a report on ‘the spate of growing insecurity in Nigeria’ by the Joint Committee on Legislative Compliance and Communications during plenary.

The Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo (APC, Osun West), in his presentation, further revealed that the SIM registration exercise by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, which makes the provision of the National Identity Number compulsory, has drastically reduced the use of phones by kidnappers for the purpose of negotiations.

According to him, the earlier successes of the SIM registration were compromised by the numerous agents recruited by the communications companies that register SIM card owners across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria.

He, however, explained that this led the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to seek Presidential approval for the temporary suspension of the sale of SIM cards in Nigeria and for the merger of all SIMS to the National Identity Numbers of their respective owners.

He added that the Joint Committee also found that there were other programs and projects by the Ministry and its agencies to support security agencies in fighting crime.

Oloriowo disclosed that a total of twenty-three Emergency Communication Centres using the 112 code have been commissioned, with an additional twelve (12) almost ready for commissioning.

“The goal, according to the Minister, is to have at least one Emergency Communication Centre in every State of the Federation, by the first quarter of 2022”, the lawmaker said.

“The Emergency Communication Centres, are supposed to be multipurpose Centres for emergencies and platforms for Nigerians to access and connect to relevant institutions like the Fire Service, National Emergency Management Authourity (NEMA) and the Police, as well as other security agencies.

“These emergency lines are toll-free lines and their effectiveness has been well reported across the country, including its usefulness, during the COVID-19 lockdown”, Oriolowo added.

He lamented that the inability of the Ministry of Communications and its agencies to provide necessary information from the phone database in cases of crime such as kidnapping stems from its lack of statutory mandate to do so, except after due request and application for such information by security agencies.

Accordingly, the Senate while adopting the recommendations of the Joint Committee, urged the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to submit a proposal for legislative action to any Section(s) of the extant laws of any of its agencies towards reducing the nation’s security challenges.

It also urged security agencies such as the Ministries of Defence, Interior, Police Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Security Services, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Services, and the Nigerian Immigration Service to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy by contracting its when a crime has been aided and abetted through the use of SIM cards.

He explained that putting the Ministry in the loop would also give it the ability to monitor the regulators and their compliance with the directives to provide the full profile of any subscriber that is being investigated for crime(s) by security agencies

 

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Fadahunsi Denies Inciting Violence as Adeleke Seeks Police Probe Over Viral Video

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6 hours ago

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August 12, 2026

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Senator Francis Fadahunsi
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Senator Francis Fadahunsi has denied allegations that he incited violence against members of the Accord Party in Osun State.

The denial followed a viral video in which Fadahunsi was allegedly heard asking his supporters to kill any Accord Party member found in Ilesa ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Fadahunsi, in a statement on Tuesday, described the video as a “deliberate misrepresentation” of his remarks.

The senator said he was speaking about alleged attacks and killings of members of his party in Ilesa by suspected Accord Party thugs.

He explained that his warning of retaliation was in response to the alleged continued violence against APC members.

According to him, his remarks were edited from a speech that lasted about 24 minutes and circulated on social media to create a false impression of what he said.

Fadahunsi maintained that his party would not fold its arms if its members continued to be attacked, insisting that the party had a right to defend its members.

He said: “If the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate.”

The senator also called for justice over the alleged attacks, stressing that those involved in the violence were Nigerians from the same communities.

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused Fadahunsi of inciting violence and making what he described as threats of “genocide” against Accord Party members.

Adeleke has consequently asked the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the viral video and take appropriate action.

The governor said the investigation was necessary to prevent the alleged threats from being carried out, stressing that nobody, regardless of position, should be above the law.

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NYSC disowns NANS mobilisation levy

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9 hours ago

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August 11, 2026

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The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disowned any levy reportedly being collected by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in connection with mobilisation for national service.

The NYSC made the clarification in a statement signed by its Director, Information and Public Relations, Mrs Caroline Embu, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Embu said the NYSC had neither discussed nor agreed to any levy with NANS in connection with the mobilisation of graduates for national service.

“The NYSC wishes to state unequivocally that it has not, at any time, discussed, agreed to, or entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with NANS regarding the collection of any levy from students,” she said.

She explained that the NYSC operated under the authority of the Federal Government and implemented only policies, guidelines and procedures approved by relevant government authorities.

According to her, the mobilisation process was conducted through established official channels involving NYSC management and Heads of Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs).

She said the institutions were responsible for providing required information on their graduates to facilitate the mobilisation process for national service.

“The mobilisation process is neither linked to nor contingent upon the activities of any student association or organisation,” Embu said.

She advised students and prospective corps members to disregard any information suggesting that payment of a levy to NANS or any other association was required for NYSC mobilisation.

Embu reaffirmed the NYSC management’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and efficient mobilisation process in line with extant government policies and guidelines.

The statement followed a viral publication titled, “NANS Moves to Collect N200 Levy from Nigerian Students, Links Dues to NYSC Mobilisation.”

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FG Empowers 1,127 Plateau Youths, Women on Skills Acquisition

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10 hours ago

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August 11, 2026

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The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has trained 1,127 youths and women in Plateau State on agriculture technology, automobile, confectionary, tailoring, to mention but few.

While speaking at the closing of the training on Tuesday in Kuru, near Jos, Mrs Mary Fom, the Coordinator of the Social Investment Programme in Plateau, said that the gesture aimed at empowering young people with skills.

Fom, who said that the beneficiaries were also trained in cooks and catering, mansory, grinding and vulcanising, added that the gesture aimed at addressing poverty in the country.

The coordinator explained that the exercise tagged: “Renewed Hope Vocational and Skills Training”, was organised through the National Social Investment Programme Agency (N-SIPA).

Fom said that the beneficiaries had a two-week intensive training across seven centres in the state, and were handed over starter packs and cash.

“Today is a water shade in the life of the 1,127 beneficiaries of this noble gesture. For two weeks you have learned and you have become better.

“Remember that the era of white collar jobs is gone, invariably the world does not owe you employment but the world certainly and will always pay for problems that get solved, and in reality that is what you are now – problem solvers.

“You are no longer waiting or looking for opportunity, you are opportunity yourselves. You have acquired skills in these vocational trades cut across all demand driven sectors.

“I, therefore, urge you to seize this opportunity and put to practice what you have learned and acquired; start small, be good and excellent at your trade,” she said.

The coordinator also advised the beneficiaries to train other members of their immediate communities, adding that such move would ensure proper expansion of the economic drive of the government.

Speaking, Mr Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), called on the beneficiaries to put the knowledge gained into practical use.

Jatau, who was represented by Mr Timothy Gayi, the Permanent Secretary, Policy in the office of the SSG, warned the beneficiaries against selling the starter packs given to them.

He said that the Caleb Mutfwang-led administration would continually initiate policies and programmes aimed at moving Plateau citizens out of poverty.

Jatau thanked the Federal Government for the initiative, adding that the move would no doubt enhance the economic prosperity of the state.

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