PAPER PRESENTATION

PAPER PRESENTATION
Theme: Confronting Emerging Security Threats in Kurudu Through Police Partnership & Innovation
Date: 29th July 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: La Vogue British International School, Event Center, Kurudu, FCT Abuja

Resource Person:
Babawere Kehinde
Criminologist | Peace & Conflict Resolution Expert
National Chairman, Criminologists Without Borders Development Initiative
Email: criminologistbabawere@gmail.com | Tel: +2348033194042, +2348058025080
Website: http://www.cwbdi.org.ng

OPENING
Good morning our Royal Fathers, Religious Leaders, Community Leaders, Youths, Traders, Artisans, Okada Riders, and all residents of Kurudu.

Security is not just for police. Security is for all of us. When Kurudu is safe, our children go to school in peace, our markets thrive, and our families sleep well. Today we will talk plainly about the problems we face, and more importantly, what we can do together to solve them.

  1. IDENTIFYING THE EMERGING SECURITY THREATS CONFRONTING KURUDU TODAY
    Kurudu is growing fast. With growth comes new challenges. The threats we see today include:
  • Cybercrime / “Yahoo Yahoo”: Young people using phones and internet to scam others. It brings shame to families and attracts police attention.
  • Kidnapping & Armed Robbery: People taken for ransom on lonely roads, especially early morning and late night.
  • Banditry & Cultism: Groups that fight, intimidate, and recruit our youths, especially around schools and uncompleted buildings.
  • Violent Extremism: Ideas that teach hate and violence. Even one person with such an idea can destroy peace.
  • Drug abuse & Phone snatching: These small crimes often grow into bigger crimes.

Example: If someone is being pressured to join a cult in school, that is not just “boys’ play”. It is the beginning of a bigger problem.

  1. THE ROLE OF COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND SECURITY AGENCIES.
    No single group can do it alone.
  • Families: Teach children right from wrong at home. Know your children’s friends and where they go at night.
  • Schools: Watch for bullying, cult recruitment, and drug use. Report early.
  • Religious Institutions: Preach peace, discourage hate speech, and counsel youths.
  • Community Leaders & Traditional Rulers: Set community rules. Mobilize vigilantes and town hall meetings.
  • Security Agencies / Police: Enforce law, investigate, and respond quickly. But they need our information to work.
  • Youth Groups, Traders, Okada Riders: You are the “eyes on the street”. You see what happens first.

Example: If an Okada rider notices someone hanging around a school with a strange bag, telling the police can stop trouble before it starts.

  1. THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION IN CRIME PREVENTION
    Technology is not only for big cities. We can use it in Kurudu too.
  • WhatsApp Community Groups: For quick alerts. “Suspicious movement at Junction 2”.
  • CCTV at Markets and Schools: Deters thieves and helps police investigate.
  • Emergency Phone Numbers: Save police DPO and vigilante numbers on every phone.
  • Light and Solar Street Lamps: Criminals hide in darkness. Light exposes them.
  • Biometric Registration for Okada Riders: Helps identify who is who in case of crime.

Innovation: A simple register at the market gate where visitors sign in. Small, but it works.

  1. BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR EARLY DETECTION, RAPID RESPONSE, AND RESILIENCE
    “See Something, Say Something.”
  • Police-Community Forums: Monthly meeting between DPO, community leaders, and residents.
  • Vigilante + Police Joint Patrols: Especially at night and market days.
  • School-Parent-Teacher Security Committee: To report early signs in children.
  • Information Sharing: Anonymous tip lines so people are not afraid to talk.

When we work together, we detect problems early, respond fast, and bounce back stronger.

  1. PRACTICAL MEASURES RESIDENTS CAN ADOPT
    Simple things save lives:
  2. At Home: Lock doors and windows. Know your neighbors. Don’t display cash or jewelry.
  3. On the Road: Avoid lonely routes at night. Share your location with family when traveling.
  4. For Parents: Monitor children’s phones. Ask about new friends and sudden money.
  5. In Market: Form trader associations to watch each other’s shops.
  6. For Okada Riders: Don’t carry passengers to isolated areas. Register with your union.
  7. Online: Don’t share OTP, BVN, or bank details. If it’s too good to be true, it’s a scam.
  8. UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES AND IMPACT OF CYBERCRIME, KIDNAPPING, BANDITRY, CULTISM, AND VIOLENT EXTREMISM
  • Causes: Poverty, unemployment, bad peer groups, lack of parental care, drug use, and quest for quick money.
  • Impact: Fear in the community, businesses close, children drop out of school, families are broken, Kurudu gets a bad name.

If we solve the cause, we reduce the crime. That means jobs for youths, skills training, and good parenting.

  1. PROMOTING PUBLIC TRUST, COOPERATION, AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.
    Trust is the bridge between police and people.
  • Greet police officers. See them as your own.
  • Don’t shield criminals because “he is my brother”.
  • Pay your taxes and dues. It funds security.
  • Speak up in community meetings. Your voice matters.

When we trust each other, information flows. When information flows, crime reduces.

SUMMARY: OUR 5-POINT KURUDU SECURITY ACTION PLAN
Let us remember this simply:

  1. Know the Threats Cybercrime, kidnapping, cultism, drugs, extremism.
  2. Play Your Role Family, school, church/mosque, community, police.
  3. Use Smart Tools WhatsApp groups, lights, CCTV, registration
  4. Work Together Partnerships for early warning and fast response .
  5. Act Daily – Lock up, watch out, speak up, guide our youths

A safe Kurudu is our responsibility. Police can patrol, but neighbors prevent.

INTERACTIVE Q&A SESSION
We will now take questions and contributions. Please share:

  • What security problem worries you most in your area?
  • What idea do you have that can help us?
    No question is too small. Let us talk so we can act.

Thank you, and may peace return to every street in Kurudu.

Contact for follow-up:
www.cwbdi.org.ng click report a crime page
criminologistbabawere@gmail.com | +2348033194042