Stakeholders Urge Caution on AI Deployment by Security Agencies to Combat Crime
Stakeholders in Nigeria's criminal justice and security sectors have issued a strong caution to security agencies regarding the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in crime prevention initiatives across the country. They emphasized that harnessing AI's potential responsibly necessitates the establishment of strong institutional frameworks, clear ethical standards, and inclusive engagement from all relevant parties.
Preparedness Over Adoption
According to these experts, for Nigeria, the critical question is no longer whether AI will influence the security sector, but how prepared the nation is to leverage its capabilities in a responsible manner. Speaking at a donor roundtable in Abuja focused on Nigeria's readiness for AI in security sector reform and governance, Peter Maduoma, Executive Director of the CLEEN Foundation, highlighted that adopting AI in security requires more than just technological implementation.
Maduoma stressed the need for robust institutions, well-defined legal and ethical frameworks, adequate human capacity building, and sustained investment. He acknowledged that while AI presents significant opportunities to enhance efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness in security operations, it also introduces complex risks. These risks include algorithmic bias, surveillance overreach, data privacy concerns, and weak regulatory oversight, which could undermine public trust and effectiveness.
Call for Partnerships and Dialogue
Maduoma called on development partners to support Nigeria in areas such as research, capacity building, regulatory development, and the deployment of ethical AI solutions. He expressed confidence that with the right partnerships, strategic planning, and appropriate technologies, Nigeria can build a safer, more secure, and more just society for all its citizens. He also advocated for inclusive dialogue among key stakeholders, particularly government bodies, civil society organizations, and development partners, to ensure a collaborative approach.
Academic Warnings on AI Limitations
In a related presentation, Professor Etannibi Alemika, a criminology expert, cautioned against the deployment of AI in tackling Nigeria's insecurity situation. He warned that applying AI in the criminal justice system and its administration without widespread awareness of its limitations and dangers could aggravate injustices and lead to human rights violations, especially among the poor and powerless segments of society.
Professor Alemika stated, "We must know the strengths and weaknesses of AI. It's not a question of whether to adopt or not to adopt. No, it's a question of where do we use it? How do we use it? And then how do we understand the input into it? And then understand the limitation when we're taking decision." This underscores the importance of a nuanced and informed approach to AI integration.
Police Perspective on AI Integration
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Hassan Gwani, in charge of Information Technology, acknowledged that the Nigeria Police Force recognizes the evolving nature of crime and security threats, which demands dynamic and technologically driven responses. He stated that Artificial Intelligence and emerging digital tools offer opportunities to enhance intelligence gathering, predictive policing, operational efficiency, and overall service delivery.
Commissioner Gwani highlighted some key applications of AI that the NPF is leveraging to improve policing efforts. However, he emphasized the need to ensure that such technological advancements are guided by strong ethical frameworks, respect for human rights, and inclusivity. He asserted that building public trust must remain at the core of all reform initiatives and reiterated the NPF's commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing personnel capacity, and adopting global best practices in the responsible use of technology.
