The CEO of Data Addicts, Mr. John David, popularly known as the Data Guru, has called for a data-driven approach to addressing Nigeria’s growing insecurity challenges.
David said kidnapping, banditry, and violent crimes have continued to disrupt economic activities, education, farming, and transportation across the country, stressing that Nigeria needs evidence-based solutions rather than emotional reactions.
According to him, a major gap in the country’s security architecture is the lack of reliable and actionable data needed to understand crime patterns and deploy resources effectively.
“We need to know where attacks are concentrated, when they occur most frequently, which routes are most vulnerable, and what interventions are producing results. Without this insight, security efforts remain reactive instead of preventive,” he said.
The data expert noted that kidnapping has become a significant burden on families, businesses, and investors, adding that insecurity increases the cost of living by restricting movement and slowing economic activities.
“When people cannot travel safely, food supply is affected, businesses lose revenue, and confidence in public institutions declines,” he stated.
David urged government and security agencies to treat data as a critical security tool capable of identifying hotspots, tracking trends, and improving response times.
“Data will not replace security personnel, but it will make their work more effective. Nigeria cannot defeat insecurity through guesswork. It requires clarity, coordination, and data-driven leadership,” he said.
He added that improving public safety would depend largely on the country’s ability to transform information into targeted action and measurable results.
