Political Machinations: How a Groundbreaking Tracking System Fail Victim to Corruption in Nigeria

A stunning revelation emerged from a retired police officer, shedding light on the unfortunate demise of a once-revolutionary tracking system that was instrumental in the IRT’s success in crime-fighting.

In an exclusive interview, the officer disclosed that the system, initially conceived to monitor kidnappers and intercept communications, was eventually misappropriated by politicians to shadow their enemies and mistresses, marking the beginning of its end.

The intricate tale of the tracking system’s inception begins with the visionary leadership of former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

In 2015, Arase spearheaded the implementation of intelligence-led policing, spearheaded by a groundbreaking tracking technology that enabled the IRT to gather vital data on kidnappers’ movements, locations, and potential hideouts.

The system’s efficacy was evident in the swift apprehension of five kidnappers involved in the abduction of Chief Olu Falae in 2015, marking a major triumph for the IRT and a testament to the tracking system’s potential.

However, as the baton of leadership passed to subsequent IGPs, the course of the system’s fate shifted drastically.

In a turn of events that would prove detrimental to the tracking system, the integration of the IRT and technical platforms under a single individual rendered the platform susceptible to political influences, resulting in a gradual departure from its crime-fighting focus.

Tragically, the failure to maintain and upgrade the system due to non-payment of subscription fees for over three years resulted in the company overseeing its maintenance and upgrades withdrawing their services.

As the tracking system lay in ruins, the implications of its demise reverberated across the country.

No longer equipped with the technology to track the movements of bandits and kidnappers, the police force found itself at a significant disadvantage in the fight against violent crime. 

The retired officer revealed that the state of affairs could have been avoided with a sustained commitment to maintaining and upgrading the tracking system. The neglect of such a crucial resource ultimately proved detrimental to the overall efficacy of the police force and the safety of the nation.

Reference and citations:

• Naija News – How Politicians Hijacked Police Anti-Kidnapping Tracking Device To Spy on Rivals, Mistresses.