Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. Nigeria faces various security challenges ranging from Kidnapping ,banditry ,Boko HaramIndependent People of Biafra (IPOB) , criminal activities in the south East ,communal clashes,religious and tribal unrest.
Addressing such crises need multi strategy by the security apparatus which the Nigerian Military remain at Centre.Using Artificial Intelligence as a modern Technique to confront the security challenges is something that is worth the attention of the Nigerian Military as an Institution that values knowledge and innovations.
Artificial Intelligence is a branch of Computer Science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that usually require human intelligence.It describes any task performed by a machine that demonstrates behaviors
associated with human intelligence .These include planning ,learning,reasoning,problem solving ,knowledge presentation,perception ,motion,and some minimal level of social intelligence and creativity.
Communications ,healthcare ,disease control,education,agriculture ,transportation(autonomous vehicles),space exploration,science and entertainment are among those areas already benefiting from Artificial Intelligence.
The need for strengthening the Nigerian defense through the Artificial Intelligence
Nigeria’s defense/security (military, paramilitary and intelligence) services have been stretched beyond their traditional capacity as they grapple with seemingly unending insecurity across all parts of the country.
This prompts the increasing need for the government to add technological means as an additional option to help reduce the scourge of insecurity and its attendant implications.
Government and citizens acknowledge that banditry, kidnapping, militancy, the Boko Haram insurgency, and other sundry criminalities have overstretched the defense/security forces in terms of personnel, logistics, and even funding.
Stakeholders in defense and security sectors believe that technology -driven surveillance and intelligence gathering cost less in interns of men and logistic .And Nigeria’s indigenous technology community could offer digital solutions to the nation’s security woes.
An effort by Nigerian Indigenous firms in providing Artificial Intelligence gadgets
A case in point is the specialized Carbon Emission Detection (CED) tracker developed by an indigenous A.I technology firm, Robotic and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN).This company is based in Ibadan Oyo State
Governments at all levels, private and other key stakeholders in the technology ecosystem are expected to respond more responsibly and effectively to the unique opportunities that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could bring to Nigeria’s security administration.
Olusola Ayoola is the Founder of the firm.He said the Carbon Emission Detection tracker has the capacity to track and locate kidnappers ,bandits and other criminal elements inside caves and forested areas.
Ayoola explained that the specialized tracker uses carbon emission sensors to detect carbon dioxide emitted by humans as they move from one location to another within any terrain. This he said makes it difficult for the kidnappers to hide their location.
With the potential to become a game-changer in the fight against kidnapping and banditry, the developer of the CED tracker emphasized
The ICT expert added that the technology could ease the huge burden on security personnel, especially in the area of surveillance and intelligence gathering, while also freeing the essential manpower needed in combat operations.
The need for collaboration between governments and the private operators in the defense sector
To this end, the National Centre Artificial Intelligence and Robotics offers an environment for indigenous A.I technology talents and defense/security experts to undertake joint research into A.I technologies for national security.
It is incumbent on the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, as well as the Ministry of Defence, to create suitable platforms to foster trustworthy collaborations between the public and private technology community.
Governments at all levels, private and other key stakeholders in the technology ecosystem are expected to respond more responsibly and effectively to the unique opportunities that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could bring to Nigeria’s security administration.
Certainly, the impact of Artificial Intelligence technology in national security can only be determined by the extent to which developers and security agencies are able to tap into its strengths and identify emerging options to limit likely vulnerability.
Using Artificial Intelligence to enhance the operation of Nigerian Navy
The role played by the Nigerian Navy as one of the components of the Military could not be overemphasized but it plays a significant role in safeguarding the country by providing protection to the sea borders and checkmate criminality taking place such as piracy and oil bunkering.
Emmanuel Ogalla is the Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).He said the Nigerian Navy is embarking on a transformative journey by integrating Artificial Intelligence into its operational framework .This strategic initiative aims to elevate the navy’s capabilities and bolster its comparative edge on the seas.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla stated that Nigerian Navy will leverage on Artificial Intelligence and the emerging
technologies to enhance its operational activities.
In the rapidly evolving maritime industry, technological advancements have brought about the construction of increasingly sophisticated ships. These vessels now incorporate AI and other emerging technologies, making it imperative for the Nigerian Navy to keep pace with this evolution.
Ogalla said this during the presentation of a paper to navy participants of National Defence College (NDC) Course 31, entitled “Artificial Intelligence and Ship Maintenance: Strategic Options for the Nigerian Navy by 2035” recently.
He underlined AI’s potential to revolutionize ship maintenance, enhance operational effectiveness, and optimize the availability of naval assets.
The CNS said that the use of AI was significantly transforming the maritime industry, adding that the Nigerian navy was embracing it to improve the availability of ships towards enhancing operational effectiveness.
He said that ships were increasingly becoming sophisticated with advancement in technology and incorporation of AI and other emerging technologies in their construction.
According to him, the Nigerian navy must continue to adopt and integrate these technologies in order to maintain a competitive edge during operations.
Artificial Intelligence is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening the Nigerian Navy’s operational capacity in Data-Driven Decision-Making. AI algorithms can assist commanders in making informed decisions by analyzing complex data sets and providing actionable insights. This capability is particularly valuable in dynamic and unpredictable maritime environments.
Also, AI offers Advanced Predictive Maintenance. AI-driven predictive maintenance systems can analyze vast amounts of data from ship sensors and historical records. By identifying potential equipment failures or maintenance needs in real-time, the navy can proactively address issues before they escalate, ensuring ships remain mission-ready.
Similarly, AI-powered analytics can process data from multiple sources, including radar, sonar, and satellite imagery, to provide a comprehensive and real-time understanding of maritime activities. This improved situational awareness enables quicker response to potential threats and enhances overall security.
AI can also optimize resource allocation, from fuel consumption to logistical planning. This ensures that the navy operates efficiently and minimizes operational costs.
Incorporating AI into its operations positions the Nigerian Navy for greater success in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests. By embracing these technological advancements, the navy is poised to adapt to the evolving challenges of the seas and maintain its commitment to security and stability in the region. As AI continues to evolve, its role within the Nigerian Navy will undoubtedly expand, ushering in a new era of maritime defense.
However there is the need for Nigerian Military institution that include Army,Air force and Navy to invest heavily on Artificial Intelligence in order to tackle the existing challenges affecting the country which need to be addressed urgently for economic and infrastructural development of the nation that has millions of its citizens affected by various form of unrest.
This insecurity pushed away communities from their environments and Agricultural activities were on stand still.
People can not move from one part of the country to another due to fear of insecurity.
In the SouthEast region the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is making life difficult in the region.
Artificial Intelligence should be used by the Nigerian Military and other security agencies to checkmate the menace as using such gadgets will be more effective.
Governments at all levels should take it as a priority to provide enough funds for the purchase of the needed technical facilities and the training of personnel in Artificial Intelligence.
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