THE UTILIZATION OF ICT IN CRIME DETECTION AND SCHOOL SECURITY IN NIGERIA POLYTECHNICS

1.1 Introduction

School security is the degree of protection harm. It applies to any vulnerable and valuable asset such as a person, dwelling, community, nation, or organization. The current security challenges facing the nation are deeply embedded in its socio-political and economic institutions over the years. Schools owners and organizations must understand the physical-security challenges with an aim of mitigating them in order to enhance protection of students and business assets. Provision of security, early warnings and quality of detection by human security guards is not effective. Human security guards have no stored log rather depend on their subjective memory (Hughes, 2004).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Today’s college and universities are faced with many challenges in the attempt to provide a campus that is safe and secure. The college campus has traditionally been known as a safe haven for students, but recent tragic events have left the leaders of higher education with the challenge of preparing for tragedies that could happen on their campuses (Carrico, 2016).

Nigerian university society is faced with many crimes that go undetected but undeniable. Crimes like stealing, robbery, rape, cultism, vandalism, open threat, homicide etc. have come to stay on campuses. These crimes has turned school environment from the peaceful conducive and safe place it used to be, to an insecure, fearful and uncomfortable place. Safety of the students both physical and psychological is central to their academic performance. Every person desires to feel and stay safe for maximum performance. Security is a first-order or necessary precondition for the development of human beings and societies (Etannibi, 2016).

Crime is not a concept of concern only to Nigerian educational institutions. It is universal, with a very long and difficult history to trace. Many universities in all parts of the worlds have their fair share of crime which has become an issue of national concern. Crime impacts on the society in a variety of ways according to the nature and extent of crime committed. It constitutes a problem when its incidence is so rampant in the society as to constitute a threat to the security of persons and property, as well as social order and solidarity (Adebayo, 2013).

School security has become an increasingly high priority for higher institutions. Since crime introduces insecurity, detecting crime situations through machines and data mining approaches can be used to promote school safety. Crime is growing uncontrollably in Nigeria universities despite the enormous effort of university administrators to prevent and control them. Crime is an act committed or omitted in violation of a law for which punishment is imposed upon conviction.

In the past few decades, there has been a revolution in computing and communication, and all indications are that technological progress and use of information technology will continue at a rapid rate (Konsbruck, 2018). One of the most striking technological developments of recent years has been the emergence of digital technology as a powerful tool in our lives. Information Communication and Technology could play a great role in crime detection and enhancement of school security. ICT tools like Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), emergency call systems, metal detectors, GPS tracker, biometric scanner, bomb detectors are useful technologies for improved security. These tools reduces crime by giving criminals the thought that they would be seen, identified and possibly be caught if the engage in crime.

Since most students don’t want to be known for crimes like rape, stealing etc. because of their law penalty and personal reputation, these tools helps to keep the school environment secure. Students perpetrate most on-campus crime and are the highest victims of such crimes. Crimes among university students could be prevented detected and enhanced using technologies of ICT.

The tragic situation of Nigeria universities having rapid increase of seemingly uncontrollable criminal acts and the pressure it places on school administrators gave ground for the exploration of Information Communication and Technology tools and how they can be used to detect these heinous crimes and at larger level propagate school security.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Use of ICT in Crime Detection and School Security.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that University community in recent years has witnessed alarming increase at the rate which crime thrives on campuses. Criminal acts like rape, breaking of offices, stealing, snatching of cell phones and cars, cultism have become the order of the day in our tertiary institutions. Crimes of stronger impact like murder, assassination and group rebellion on campus is germinating and will soon become high ranked crimes if neglected. People no longer feel safe with others. Crime has become borderless in nature and this makes fight against criminals more complicated for law enforcement agents. To successfully tackle crime, African leaders need to gain knowledge from the steps taken by most developed countries in using ICT to combat crime (Akinola and Ogunobi, 2015).

Institutions spend a lot of money on security and are yet, ready to spend more. Everyone is desperate about finding solution to these crimes that are eroding the reputation of higher education and tarnishing the image of our campuses. It is agreed that the university though may embody people of different languages, tribe, culture, race, value, believes, principles, background and experiences, which contributes to crime like religious killing, rebellion and more. However, higher institutions are purposed to support socio-cultural co-existence. Provision of safety being a top responsibility of university administrators, curbing crime to ensure security requires a concerted effort of everyone to be attainable. The alarming rate of rise in crime and the quest for safety in tertiary institutions especially campuses led the study of the use of ICT as a weapon for detecting these crimes that has besieged the campuses and making school safe without compromising educational goals.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Utilization of ICT in Crime Detection and School Security in Nigeria Polytechnics using Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri (FPNO) and Imo State Polytechnic (IMOPOLY) as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To determine the level of student awareness and usage of available ICT tools for school safety in the area under study;
2. To examine the adequacy and effectiveness of current ICT facilities employed in study area for crime detection;
3. To identify the ICT tools are available in the Nigeria Universities under study; and
4. To recommend new ways of using modern ICT tools to detect/curb on-campus crimes and enhance school security in the area under study.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What is the level of student awareness and usage of available ICT tools for school safety in the area under study?
• What is the adequacy and effectiveness of current ICT facilities employed in study area for crime detection?
• What are the ICT tools are available in the Nigeria Universities under study?
• What are the ways of using modern ICT tools to detect/curb on-campus crimes and enhance school security in the area under study?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant factor inhibiting the utilization of ICT tools in crime detection among Nigeria Universities
• H1: There is a significant factor inhibiting the utilization of ICT tools in crime detection among Nigeria Universities

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1.7 Significance of Study

The study will be useful to authorities of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the Nigeria government. By identifying new technologies and ways of using ICT to detect crimes and enhance security, tertiary institutions can have a solid stand against crime and criminals. The safety of the school will allow learning to effectively take place, thereby producing self reliant and employable graduates who are sound in both character and learning. As crime reduces, overall educational goals are achieved in the learners. These people will return to the society as leaders and employers of labour. To the society in general which are the potential victims of uncontrolled crimes, the information obtained from the study will create a consciousness of concerted effort towards a safer society.

The study will benefit teachers and students who are potential victims of crimes in tertiary institutions. The information obtained from the study will guide students and teachers on steps to take when they perceive crime or are confronted by such.

The study will be useful to security agencies in policing by exposing new technologies that can be used to detect criminal. By employing the use of ICT for crime detection and security, more criminals will easily be detected and caught while crime scenes are observed firsthand with the help of CCTV.

The study will be beneficial to other institutions or business organizations who desire environmental safety of the work place or are challenged with invisible crimes that are evident. Information obtained from the study will help them see how ICT can help in monitoring the workplace and detecting intruders.

Theoretically, the study will also add to existing research works and literatures to be used for educational purposes. Hence, it will serve as a databank for any student (or researcher) carrying out a study related to the subject matter. Also, the research findings could lead to further research.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Utilization of ICT in Crime Detection and School Security in Nigeria Polytechnics using Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri (FPNO) and Imo State Polytechnic (IMOPOLY) as a case study.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

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1.10 Definition of Terms

ICT: Information and communication technology as the collection, storage, processing dissemination and use of information (Achuonye, 2002).