Security and forensic science experts have emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria to harness the full potential of DNA technology in combating terrorism, insurgency, and other internal security threats.
The Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General Garba Wahab (Rtd), stated at a workshop in Abuja titled; “The Use of DNA Technology to Enhance National Security.“
He expressed concern over Nigeria’s low rate of record-keeping, which he said hampers the effective use of forensic tools.
Citing an example, he said; “Sometime in 2010, there was a bomb blast in one of our barracks here in Abuja, and forensic technology was used seriously to determine what really happened. There are many other instances, but that’s a specific one the military has handled—only that it’s not widely publicised.”
General Wahab criticised the public’s lack of awareness and discipline in preserving crime scenes, stating that “When a crime is committed, people are not expected to go and touch anything there. The place is supposed to be left the way it is until analysts arrive.”
He linked the broader issue to a national failure in managing basic records, noting that “If you can’t keep simple records in offices, it’s going to be difficult to keep data of individuals. We are afraid in Nigeria of having a complete data under one umbrella, under one roof.”
The retired general stressed that the absence of centralised and reliable data impedes the effective application of modern technology, including data analytics and forensic science.
He added that “The government must decide which agency will be responsible for keeping this data. Our mindsets must change. We must understand national security and national interest. We must build capacity. If you have the equipment and don’t have the capacity to manage it, it’s a waste of time.”
Also speaking, the Director of Sentinel Forensics Limited, Mr Joseph Ako, explained that the three-day workshop was aimed at educating security operatives and Nigerians on integrating DNA and forensic techniques into national security operations.
He noted that “More needs to be done in terms of training people.”
Mr Ako called for legislative support to enable the operational use of DNA evidence, stressing the need for lawmakers to create a legal framework that promotes its integration into criminal investigations.
He stated that “Parliamentarians at both state and national levels need to pass laws to support the utilisation of DNA evidence in police, military, and intelligence operations. The Evidence Act, for instance, touches on the use of certain types of evidence, but there should be more enlightenment for lawmakers on the relevance of DNA in criminal justice proceedings.”
He added that “This should feed into the work of local experts and scientists who already have the knowledge. We must involve them in designing and implementing the framework.”
The workshop brought together senior military and paramilitary officials, forensic scientists, policymakers, and media defence correspondents. Discussions focused on the ethical and legal implications of DNA technology and its strategic application in national defence and internal security.
PIAK