…Lawmakers Push Drones, AI, Satellite Surveillance For Border Control
… Demand Stricter Cashless Regime, Namin, Prosecution Of Terror Financiers
Daud Olatunji
The House of Representatives on Wednesday declared Nigeria’s borders a national emergency, ordering the deployment of drones, satellite imaging and artificial intelligence systems to tackle escalating insecurity across the country.
The resolutions followed a three-day special security summit held between November 25 and 27, where lawmakers received briefings from security experts, field assessments from conflict-prone regions and reports from all geopolitical zones.
Lawmakers said rising kidnappings, bandit attacks and killings demanded urgent reforms, urging the Federal Government to overhaul security operations and intelligence systems to restore public confidence.
The Green Chamber commended President Bola Tinubu’s recent interventions, including the recruitment of 20,000 police officers, recall of personnel attached to VIPs, support for state security outfits, and the temporary use of NYSC camps for training.
They also praised the President for prioritising national security over international engagements, including skipping the G20 Summit.
To ensure timely funding, the House resolved that all security spending should be placed on First Line Charge, warning that capital and operational allocations must be released without delay.
Lawmakers warned that Nigeria’s borders had become “high-risk corridors,” calling for long-range drones, biometric and AI-enabled surveillance, satellite imaging, sensors, and reinforced physical barriers.
A national weapons-tracking system with unified inventory and periodic audits was also approved.
They also backed the creation of a Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre and an expanded Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell to improve real-time coordination among security agencies.
The House recommended a shift from “super-camp” strategies to forward operating bases for wider territorial control and demanded new Army formations, Police divisions and NSCDC units in volatile areas.
Lawmakers urged enhanced protection for schools, markets and worship centres through CCTV, perimeter fencing and early-warning systems.
The creation of State Police through constitutional amendment was reaffirmed, while the withdrawal of police orderlies from VIPs—except serving public officials—was supported. Officers redeployed from VIP protection are expected to return to core policing duties.
A Special Court to handle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping cases was approved, alongside the public naming and prosecution of terror financiers, harsher penalties for illegal arms trafficking, and a ban on ransom payments by government institutions. Informal amnesty deals with criminal groups will also end.
Lawmakers urged formal training of local hunters, vigilantes and ranger units under a national framework and called for stronger collaboration with ECOWAS, the African Union, and neighbouring countries on intelligence sharing and cross-border patrols.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that all resolutions will be forwarded to the Presidency, security agencies, state governments, and the Senate for urgent implementation, as the House pledged to strengthen national resilience and halt Nigeria’s slide into deeper insecurity.
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