Application of Big Data for Intelligence-led Policing among Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria

Résumé

The emergence of big data technology allows law enforcement agencies to gain access into voluminous information and extract relevant credible intelligence. Application of big data to generate intelligence makes policing predictive, proactive, swift and smart. This study is aimed at examining application of big data for intelligence-led policing among law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Jigawa state, Nigeria. With Crime Pattern Theory (CPT) as a theoretical framework, survey research design was adopted for the study. In-depth Interview (IDI) was used as instrument of data collection. The major findings of the study show that: the LEAs do not usually apply big data for intelligence gathering; databases such as National Identification Numbers (NINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), communication logs (messages and calls), records of customers’ transactions with their banks and social media contents are crucial sources of intelligence; the law enforcement personnel are enthusiastic to apply big data technology in their intelligence activities but they lack modern technologies and technical know-how to do so. In view of these findings, the paper recommends that the Federal Government should build sustainable big data technology in Nigeria by building an integrated database in the country; ICT-based government agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should support the LEAs with trainings and procurement of policing technologies.