INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN NIGERIA: THE CHALLENGES OF DATA GATHERING

Abstract

Nigeria today faces a variety of security risks that are threatening to undermine its status as an independent republic. These include armed robbery, urban violence, smuggling of weapons, kidnapping, trafficking in people, and disputes between communities and religions. A strong intelligence system that can readily gather and analyse data to precisely predict the movement of criminals and other unwanted elements inside society might alleviate all these concerns. However, it appears that the government, security, and intelligence agencies are caught off guard by the on-going attacks by militants, herders, and incidents of ethnic-religious strife. These unexpected attacks might not be unrelated to incorrect and insufficient information provided about these acts. The study employs qualitative methodologies and draws on secondary sources like newspapers, the internet, and published academic works. The paper's findings show, among other things, that a number of intricate and interconnected problems can be blamed for the Nigerian intelligence system's lack of efficacy. These problems, which include an apparent lack of data, under-use of the data that is already available, and improper data, are made worse by inconsistencies in data management and sharing across the numerous security agencies operating in the nation. The article concludes that it is important for the various security apparatuses to be data-driven and exchange intelligence with one another in order to promote early response to any threat to the security of citizens' lives and property.