An Independent researcher and concerned Nigerian , Prof . Emmanuel Okoronta has outlined ways and means of combatting crime in Nigeria especially in lmo State.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri recently, the American trained scientist made it clear that combatting crime and insecurity is not rocket science
According to him, with proper planning and execution , insecurity will be curbed or reduced to it’s bearest minimum.
The International recognized poet revealed that the presence of technology has made it very easy to combat crime “that is if our government is really sincere and hell bent on putting a stop to the menace “
“The check points are not well manned , there should be CCTV cameras at our various checkpoints” he said.
He said in addition to the CCTV cameras , there should be drones that can strike and pursue.
He said ” By the time these bad boys find out that there are cameras that can capture their faces,and that devices have been put in place to alert security operatives while approaching every check point, they would decide whether to engage security operatives or flee for their lives”
According to him, no amount of monies spent on combatting crime , terror and terrorism is too big.
On the aspect of the criminals devising another means to beat the system in order to perpetuate crime ,he maintained that the security operatives should always ensure to be ahead of them at any given time.
“And that brings me to another solution which is training of security personnels”
“There has to be an elite force drawn from amongst them.These ones should be trained specially and specifically, well equipped with more sophisticated weapons and gadgets .It should not be an all comers affairs “.
He warned that those who would want to cash in on procurement of the sophisticated weapons and gadgets to enrich themselves by buying substandard equipment should be treated as a traitors, using the Chinese module which is called economic sabotage .
“Such individual should be treated beyond a criminal to deter other intending perpetrators .
“I heard in China , culprits pay with their lives by firing squad and the deceased family pay for the bullet that was used to kill the traitor” he noted.
He also advocated for Social re– -Engineering for the youths who are mostly the ones that are into crime in Nigeria .
He called on religious groups, the movie Industry and Civil Society Organisations to champion this course.
He took a swipe at religious institutions for not living up to their expectations and for encouraging the young people directly or indirectly to shun virtue, patience and hard work which are the hallmarks of human existence.
“You hear some pastors say anything you touch belongs to you, you claim that house , that car and so on, but lo Nigeria is not a welfarist State”
He explained that though Nigeria may not get it right over night but with determination, improved technology,,zero tolerance for corruption and internal sabotage laced with serious penalty attached to it,in no distant time Nigeria and lmo State in particular will be free of terrorism,kidnappings killing and maiming of her citizenry .