Crisis Mapping; How Data-Driven Geolocation Can Enhance Security and Protect Lives in Nigeria – Uche Ezekwueme

Nigeria has experienced its fair share of crises since emerging as an independent entity. In 2022, the country experienced its worst flood in a decade. The recent flood devastated one-third of the country, and its effect still reverberates today. The flood impacted 34 of the 36 states in the country, displacing 1.3 million people. Tragically, over 600 individuals lost their lives, and more than 200,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

This humanitarian crisis in Nigeria is intensified by the 16-year armed conflict perpetuated by the Boko Haram Islamic sect in the North East, which has led to the displacement of more than 2 million people who are still unable to return to their homes, the farmer/herder clash in the North-central, banditry in the North West, militancy in the South-South, activities of non-state actors in the South-East and kidnapping in the South-West.

Managing these crises has been a challenge for the Nigerian government. Apart from climate change-instigated natural disasters, insecurity in almost every part of the country has been a source of worry. Despite the resources deployed to put these crises under control by the government and international donors and organisations, there appears not to be any headway with regard to solving this crisis, which is impacting the lives of Nigerians.

Understanding Nigeria’s Security Situation.

Nigeria is currently experiencing a significant rise in insecurity, with various regions facing unique threats such as banditry, insurgency, secessionist movements, and gang violence. These issues, along with farmer-herder conflicts and widespread extrajudicial killings, have led to severe consequences, including mass displacement and the destruction of communities.

The Nigerian government has implemented several strategies in response to the security crisis, including military operations and peace agreements. However, the rise of non-state armed groups remains a major challenge to the government’s efforts to maintain security. To better understand and tackle these issues, The Nextier Group created a comprehensive Violent Conflict Database.

This database tracks multiple forms of violence, including banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes, from January 2021 to June 2022. This data-driven approach helps them formulate evidence-based strategies for conflict prevention and mitigation. The report draws on data from the database, underscoring the urgent need for effective solutions to Nigeria’s complex security challenges.

Data-Driven Geolocation in Crisis Mapping

Crisis mapping involves collecting, visualising, and analysing data in real-time during crises such as natural disasters or social conflicts. By integrating data from various sources, crisis mapping enhances situational awareness, improves data management, and promotes community engagement. This methodology intersects with big data, international development, and community-driven initiatives, providing valuable insights for crisis response and recovery efforts.

Geolocation technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of crisis mapping efforts. By leveraging technologies like GPS and IP addresses, crisis responders can pinpoint the locations of affected areas in real time during emergencies such as natural disasters or social conflicts. This accurate location data is crucial for mapping incidents effectively and coordinating appropriate interventions.

Geolocation technology significantly enhances situational awareness during a crisis. Real-time tracking of events allows crisis mappers to visualise the unfolding situation on digital maps. This dynamic visualisation enables timely assessments of damage, the identification of critical hotspots, and the rapid allocation of resources. Responders can then adapt their strategies and interventions based on the most up-to-date information.

Individuals can contribute valuable insights by sharing location-based reports and updates about their surroundings, this intelligent reports enhances participation in crisis management and mapping. Crowd-sourced data, when integrated with official reports and satellite imagery, provides a more comprehensive understanding of the crisis, creating valuable information to the security of the state.

One intriguing case study of crisis mapping was during the tragic 2010 Haiti Earthquake, that claimed the lives of thousands of people and left many more injured, missing and displaced. Tools like OpenStreetMap were used by people who wanted to help map the basic infrastructure, and help get resources, emergency workers and aid to areas where they are urgently needed.

How Crisis Mapping can help the Nigeria Government do more

The Nigerian government cannot afford to wait for another major crisis. Whether it be a climate change-induced natural disaster, or a worsening security threat. There is the essential need to necessitate the deployment of data-driven crisis mapping mechanisms to enable the nation put an end to the preventable loss of lives.

Data-backed crisis mapping, with its integration of geolocation technology, offers a powerful tool for addressing Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges. By leveraging mobile applications, satellite imagery, and participatory mapping, the government can gain real-time insights into the evolving security landscape. This can be instrumental in combating the ongoing insurgency in the Northeast, where mapping the movement of Boko Haram and ISWAP, identifying areas of displacement, and tracking humanitarian aid flows can significantly improve response efforts.

Furthermore, crisis mapping can effectively address the escalating violence in the Northwest and North Central regions. By mapping the spread of banditry, identifying hotspots of kidnappings, cattle rustling, and tracking the movement of armed groups, the Nigerian security forces can proactively deploy resources to disrupt criminal activities. Similarly, in areas plagued by farmer-herder clashes, crisis mapping can help identify conflict zones, monitor the movement of livestock and agricultural activities, and facilitate early warning systems to prevent further escalation of violence.

The government can understand local security concerns and tailor its responses accordingly, by integrating citizen-generated data through participatory mapping and social media monitoring. This data-driven approach can enhance situational awareness, improve resource allocation, and ultimately contribute to a more secure and stable Nigeria.

To effectively address Nigeria’s security and safety challenges, the government must move beyond solely relying on kinetic efforts. A crucial component of a comprehensive solution involves the strategic deployment of data and geolocation technology to inform decision-making. By leveraging these tools, the government can accurately map the evolving security landscape and develop more targeted and effective responses to the various crises facing the nation.