The Executive Director, Operations and Technical Services of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Warredi Enisuoh, has called for increased deployment of technology, improved infrastructure and security awareness to tackle insecurity across Nigeria’s transport sector.

He also said that the integration of advanced surveillance systems, facial recognition technology, drones and automated port operations would help curb kidnapping, cargo theft, illegal activities and other security threats affecting road, maritime and aviation transportation.

Speaking in an interview at the 2nd edition of Transport Summit with the theme: ‘Navigating Global Disruption And The Road Ahead: Mobility, Energy and Trade Facilitation for Resilient Future,’ held in Lagos over the weekend, Enisuoh said Nigeria must also incorporate security education into school curricula to prepare citizens to recognise and respond to emerging threats.

According to him, the country’s prevailing security challenges require a fundamental shift in public awareness and the design of transport infrastructure.

He said: “Awareness is key. The amount of insecurity that has somehow afflicted this country is not reflected in the day-to-day education of our children in school. We should start teaching insecurity in school now.

“Many security breaches occur because perpetrators exploit the lack of awareness among potential victims and weaknesses in existing security arrangements.”

He further urged Nigerians to abandon the assumption that insecurity would not affect them, warning that people who consider themselves immune to kidnapping and other threats could eventually become victims.

He explained further that Nigeria’s transport and logistics infrastructure was not adequately designed to address contemporary security challenges.

Enisuoh specifically called for the redesign of seaports to incorporate smart surveillance systems that can track individuals and movements within and beyond port facilities.

He explained that facial recognition cameras linked to central command centres could identify people entering ports and track their movements, making it more difficult for criminals to operate undetected.

The Tantita executive also advocated the use of technology in container management, explaining that strategic container stacking and improved surveillance could reduce the opportunities for people to hide or engage in suspicious activities.

He cited automated port operations in Los Angeles, United States, as an example of how technology could improve both operational efficiency and security.

According to him, automation, GPS-enabled container positioning and electronic identification systems could minimise human interference and make it easier to identify suspicious containers and movements.

He further suggested that Nigeria should consider developing deeper ports capable of accommodating larger vessels, stressing that concentrating operations around fewer, bigger ships could make monitoring and security management easier.

On road transportation, Enisuoh called for increased deployment of drones to monitor vulnerable highways and surrounding forests, particularly along the East-West Road, which he said had attracted security concerns in recent times.

He explained that drones equipped with thermal imaging technology could detect body heat and help security operatives identify people hiding in forests.

“We have drones that can detect body heat. So, you can’t take anybody into the bush without us seeing you. Also, state governments should deploy drones to monitor vulnerable sections of their road networks, not only to combat kidnapping, but also to secure the movement of goods and protect logistics operations.

“Besides, poor road infrastructure can worsen insecurity by forcing motorists to slow down or remain exposed in vulnerable locations, thereby increasing their susceptibility to attacks.”