Nigeria is exploring the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras along major highways as a means to address the rampant criminality plaguing the country’s roads. Highways have become notorious for violent crimes, with kidnapping gangs, armed robbers, and bandits terrorizing travelers.
David Umahi, the Minister of Works, unveiled the CCTV camera plans while establishing a committee to oversee the development of a cashless tolling system for the Abuja-Keffi Expressway and the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi road.
“While the e-tolling system aims to improve transportation efficiency, the CCTV technology is seen as a potential solution to the highway crime problem,” he said.
Umahi emphasized the importance of installing CCTV cameras and solar lighting along the entire route of the project. He explained that stations located along the highways will enable officers to monitor CCTV footage in real time, potentially leading to more effective crime prevention and detection.
The implementation of CCTV cameras could significantly enhance security along Nigerian highways, deterring criminals and aiding law enforcement in their efforts to combat the prevailing violence.