Criminal syndicates exploiting technology to expand, IGP raises alarm

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, raised the alarm that criminal gangs wreaking havoc in the country were relying heavily on the technology to perpetrate their nefarious activities. Egbetokun, however, said to challenge them, particularly terrorists, top commanders of the force must have foresight, creativity, and the agility to lead in an environment […]

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, raised the alarm that criminal gangs wreaking havoc in the country were relying heavily on the technology to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

Egbetokun, however, said to challenge them, particularly terrorists, top commanders of the force must have foresight, creativity, and the agility to lead in an environment of constant flux.

The top cop stated this at Nigerian Police Resource Centre, Abuja, during the executive capacity building workshop for top leadership of the force.

Daily Trust reports that the police boss’ alarm came on the heel of persistent killings of security operatives by gunmen ranging from bandits, terrorists among others.

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Investigations by Daily Trust revealed that no fewer than 53 security operatives were killed across the country in the last two weeks.

Those killed included soldiers, police officers, personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), immigration and customs officers, vigilantes, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and state community watch groups.

Speaking before declaring the workshop open, the IGP said the criminals awee not only persistent but adaptive, adding that they have always changed strategies to avoid defeat.

“We face adversaries who are not only persistent but adaptive. Criminal syndicates exploit technology to expand their reach. Terrorist networks rebrand and reorganize to avoid defeat.”

“Local conflicts, once contained, now spill across borders, amplified by social media and transnational alliances,” the top police officer told the gathering.

The workshop was themed: “Managing Fast-Paced Security Challenges in a Protracted Conflict Environment”.

Egbetokun added, “This complexity demands more from us than courage alone. It demands foresight, creativity, and the agility to lead in an environment of constant flux.

“Our leadership must combine patience with speed, endurance with imagination, and strategy with unshakable resolve.

“That is why this theme has been carefully chosen, to prepare you, as leaders, to anticipate, to adapt, and to act decisively in an environment where hesitation is costly and speed is survival.”