Knowledge and challenges in the use of information and communication technology facilities for crime prevention among the Nigeria custom service

Abstract

The Nigeria Custom Service is a strategic income earning agency for the government. However, owing to criminal activities around the borders and other linkage areas, there is high risk of import prohibitions into the country as well as financial loss for the government. This study examined the role of information and Communications technology on crime prevention in the Nigeria customs Service (NCS) . The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The sample was purposively drawn from the three (3) Area Commands in the south West, Nigeria that shared border with neighboring countries. A total of four hundred (400) customs officers were randomly sampled A questionnaire tagged "Information and Communications Technology and Crime Prevention Questionnaire" was the research instrument developed and used to collect data. Simple percentage, frequency count and ratio statistics were used in analyzing the data drawn from the questionnaires. The findings from the study showed that level of ICT knowledge by NCS officers significantly improved crime prevention across the Nigeria border. The results equally indicated that various specific challenges confronted the NCS in cross border crime prevention are presented. It was recommended that the government together with the NCS should concentrate more on ICT based capacity building towards finding a lasting solution to the challenges of NCS. Such challenges include: inadequate and non- availability of crime detective devices, erratic power supply, lack of modern technologies and porous nature of the Nigeria borders. The NCS should establish CCTV across the entire border and other necessary places of its operation