Onyema Faults FG’s 5,000 CCTV Plan, Calls for Holistic Security Strategy

A 2027 presidential aspirant under the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Francis Onyema, has criticized plans to deploy 5,000 AI-powered surveillance cameras in Jos, arguing that the move will not address Nigeria’s deep-rooted security challenges.

Onyema’s remarks follow reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the immediate installation of the cameras during a recent visit to the troubled city.

In a statement issued to journalists on Friday in Abuja, Onyema questioned the effectiveness of the initiative, warning that it could inadvertently redirect criminal activities to other parts of the country.
“Does that not invariably shift the target of daredevil terrorists and kidnappers from Jos to other parts of the country?” he asked.

The aspirant maintained that Nigeria’s lingering insecurity cannot be solved through isolated technological interventions.

According to him, deploying surveillance infrastructure in a single location fails to account for the widespread nature of threats affecting multiple regions.
“Let’s be clear: Nigeria’s lingering security challenges cannot be solved by merely installing 5,000 AI surveillance cameras in Jos. What happens to other regions facing the same threats?” Onyema stated.
He further criticised the government’s broader approach to governance, describing it as lacking strategic depth and innovation.

Onyema argued that addressing insecurity requires a comprehensive, system-driven framework capable of tackling root causes, rather than what he termed “half-baked” measures.

He called on citizens to demand more effective and sustainable solutions from leaders, warning against policies that could waste public resources without delivering meaningful outcomes.

Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, including terrorism and kidnapping, prompting ongoing debates over the best strategies to ensure lasting peace and stability nationwide.