A criminologist, Prof. Adedeji Oyenuga, has urged more investment in security, national unity and intelligence sharing to tackle rising insecurity in Nigeria.
Oyenuga, Professor of Criminology and Security Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He also coordinates the university’s Master’s programme in Criminology and Security Studies.
Oyenuga said insecurity had become increasingly complex, requiring both immediate and long-term strategies to effectively address the challenge.
“Security requires huge investment. Security is not cheap. While government invests in security, criminals also invest in insecurity,” he said.
According to him, databases such as the Bank Verification Number and National Identification Number are important investigative tools globally.
“In advanced countries, investigators can quickly identify suspects through fingerprints, facial recognition and digital databases.
“In Nigeria, access to such databases remains limited, making investigations slower,” he said.
Fried, speaking virtually, identified rapid technological advancement and rising data volumes as major global challenges confronting digital forensic investigations.
He described digital forensics as the preservation, collection and analysis of electronic data for use in court proceedings.
“The field involves collecting data from computers, laptops and phones while preserving its integrity.
“The end goal is to ensure the data can be used effectively during court proceedings,” Fried said.
Fried, who has spent 24 years in the industry, said investigators now handle evidence from cloud systems, surveillance cameras and external storage devices.
He said: “One challenge is distinguishing visible evidence from hidden evidence.
“You may see computers and printers, but hidden storage devices, cloud connections and Wi-Fi networks may also contain crucial evidence.”
He said the growing complexity and volume of digital information had made investigations more demanding for investigators globally.
Fried also identified weak collaboration between public and private investigators as another major challenge affecting information sharing. (NAN )
