Plateau’s CCTV test
On April 2, 2026, when President Bola Tinubu paid a condolence visit to the government and people of Plateau State following the March 29 gun attacks in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area, he promised to deploy an artificial intelligence-enabled network of over 5,000 digital cameras to help law enforcement agencies […]
On April 2, 2026, President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences to Plateau State following the March 29 gun attacks, vowing to introduce an AI-powered network of over 5,000 digital cameras to aid law enforcement in combating insecurity. Despite numerous killings since, CCTV cameras and floodlights were recently installed in Jos and other Plateau communities, sparking cautious optimism among residents.
According to Joyce Ramnap, State Commissioner for Information and Communication, the devices aim to curb crime and reduce darkness, with installations planned in numerous communities such as Angwan Rukuba, Bauchi Road, and the University of Jos. While the government's efforts are welcome, Daily Trust remains vigilant to ensure the cameras live up to their purpose beyond mere procurement and installation.
CCTV cameras, when part of a comprehensive security strategy, can serve as an early warning system, aiding in tracking, investigation, and deterrence. However, concerns over maintenance, power supply, and community buy-in must be addressed to prevent the devices from becoming mere decorations. To succeed, the project requires community involvement, a robust monitoring and response center, and protection against sabotage.
If Plateau gets this right, it could prove that innovation and political will can indeed enhance community safety.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.