




































 
 

Modern Security Equipment and Crime Control in Calabar 
Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria 

 
Emeka, Josephat O., OjoAgba, A.M. Ogaboh&Asongo Tersoo 

 
Abstract 
The study examined the relationship between modern technology and crime in Calabar 
Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study assessed the relationship between 
utilization of biometric technology, CCTV cameras, social media policing, tracking device and 
crime control. Using quantitative method, data was generated from 357 respondents through 
multi stage sampling technique. Quantitative data were analyzed using version 20 of Statistical 
Package for Social Science (SPSS), and simple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses. 
Findings from the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the utilization of 
biometric technology, CCTV cameras, social media policing, tracking device and crime control 
in Calabar Metropolis. The study, therefore, recommended among others that there is an urgent 
need to improve the general conditions of service of police officers in Nigeria, this will motive 
them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities efficiently and effectively. In addition, 
government should provide increased funding in equipping officers of the NPF with renewed 
emphasis on modern policing techniques including training on forensic science, psychology and 
the use of DNA and Ballistics techniques. 
Keywords: Modern Security, Crime Control 

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Introduction 

Crime is a social problem globally, which affects continents, nations and peoples 
differently. It afflicts people in various depths and levels, at different times and phases of 
existence. There is no nation that is absolutely free from crime. The main difference is the 
intensity and prevalence of this malaise.  In America, the increase from 2015 to 2018 in the 
number of violent-crime victims age 12 or older, from 2.7 million to 3.3 million, was driven by 
increases in the number of victims of rape or sexual assault, aggravated assault, and simple 
assault(Morgau& Oudekerk, 2019;Ukwayi, Ojong, Austin, & Emeka, 2012;Ayuk, Emeka, 
Chibuzo &Omono, 2013;Owan, Achu, Tiku, & Nwankwo, 2019;Emeka, Ayuk, &Ezikeudu, 
2013). In England and Wales, Villa-Llera (2020) observed that anti-social behaviour increased 
by 22%, drug offences by 28%, public order offences 22%, and violence offences by 6%.  

A study by Ukoji and Okolie-Osemene (2016) revealed that Africa has been on the 
forefront on global statistics on crime.  The evidence of Ukoji and Okolie-Osemene further 
explains that South Africa and Nigeria have recorded high incidents of violent and non-violent 
crimes in recent times. According to Agence France Presse (2017) in South Africa  between   
2016 and 2017, the rate of murders increased to 52 a day, with 19,016 murders wasrecorded. In 
Nigeria, the UN Refugee Agency (2021) opined that there has been a surge of violence in north-
west Nigeria as result of fighting between herders and farmers since the start of 2021. Those 
fleeing the violence have described murders, kidnapping and looting. Armed banditry in the 
north-west also resulted in more than 1,600 people being killed during the first half of 2020 and 
has displaced more than 300,000 civilians in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger and 
Kebbi states since June 2020. Armed bandits have also perpetrated attacks on secondary schools 
in Zamfara, Katsina and Niger states, including kidnapping 333 boys on 11 December 2020 and 
279 girls on 26 February. Regarding to armed robbery, Adamu and Saka (2018) argued that 
approximately 246 persons were murdered and 542 vehicles stolen, resulting in the arrest of 486 
armed robbery suspects between 2006 and 2015. Igbo (2009) maintained that crimes such as 
murder, rape, and armed robbery are violent crime and are more common than other crimes in 
Africa especially,  Nigeria. This is because African countries also have the highest level of 
unemployment, corruption, and generally unacceptable low standard of living. 

The rising increase in crime has affected both developed and developing countries (Ojong, 
Agba, Njirinze& Angioha, 2021;Owan, Ayuk, Tiku, & Nwankwo, 2019; Ayuk, Owan&Uyang, 
2013;Ukwayi, Akintola& Angioha, 2019).. The offenders of either violent crime ornon-violent 
crime can impact negatively on the economic in a variety of ways, from encouraging emigration 
and brain drain to discouraging foreign direct investment (Bakery, 2012; Nnam, Owan, Idike, 
Ibiam, Agboti, Kanu, & Okechukwu, 2020). It is in view of the negative consequences of crime 
in the society that Nigerian government and corporate organizations have strategized efforts in 
controlling crime. 

Another positive stride made by the Nigerian government, and corporate organizations in 
controlling crime is the introduction modern technology (Ukwayi, Okpa, Adewoyin, Angioha, 
&Udom, 2017; Ukwayi, Ojong, Austin, & Emeka, 2012; Ayuk, Owan,&Uyang, 2013; Ayuk, 
Owan, Ekok, &Odinka, 2012). According to Sethi (2013) and Fatih and Bekir (2015), modern 
technology is a generic name used to describe a range of technologies for gathering, storing, 
retrieving, processing, analysing, and transmitting information. The results of systematic reviews 
and meta-analyses conducted by Welsh and Farrington (2002, 2008, 2009) have synthesized the 
empirical knowledge on CCTV. The initial review of Welsh and Farrington, (2002) included 22 
evaluations and found that CCTV had a small but significant effect on vehicle crimes and no 

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effect on violent crimes. The updated review of Welsh and Farrington, (2008 &2009) included 
44 evaluations and examined the effect of CCTV across four main settings: city and town 
centers, public housing, public transport, and car parks. It was found that CCTV was associated 
with a 16% reduction in crime, which was a significant effect. This effect was driven by a 51% 
reduction in crime in the car park schemes, with CCTV in the other settings having small and 
non-significant effects on crime.Anselin, Cohen, Cook, Gorr and Tita, (2000) observed that 
police departments globally, make use of tracking device to provide solutions for crime analysis, 
criminal tracking, traffic safety, community policing, Intranet/Internet mapping, and numerous 
other tasks.  

Similarly, Anselin and Getis (2010) revealed that tracking device helps crime officers 
determine potential crime sites by examining complex seemingly unrelated criteria and 
displaying them all in an interface. They maintained that it also helps them map inmate 
populations, fixtures, and equipment to provide for the safety of inmates by separating gang 
members, identifying high-risk or potentially violent inmates, and identifying hazardous 
locations in an area.However, Williams (2007) observe that advances in technology also present 
law enforcement agencies with an enormous opportunity to transform how they tackle crime. In 
the light of above, this study intends to examine the relationship between modern technology and 
crime control in the Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State, Nigeria. 
Statement of the problem 

The traditional and age-old system of intelligence and criminal record maintenance has 
failed to live up to the requirements of the existing crime scenario. Nigeria has suffered 
immensely from the problem of insecurity, which has led to the killing of innocent citizens, 
expatriates, security personnel, politicians and political party faithful, government officials, and 
others. The security situation in Nigeria has over the years deteriorated, forcing the high and 
mighty, the political class, as well as, the poor to regret the loss of human life, material and 
immaterial things across the country (Ewetan&Urhie, 2014;Iji, Ojong & Angioha, 2018). The 
unhealthy security situation in the country apparently demonstrated in the wilful killings, 
aggression, cruelty, fraudulent activities like child trafficking, kidnapping and hostage taking 
have rendered many Nigerians deeply embittered about the safety profile of the country 
(Ukwayi, Okpa, Adewoyin, Angioha, & Udom, 2017). A number of other violent crimes such as 
ritual killings, cultism, insurgency, militancy, suicide bombings, religious killings, 
assassinations, drug trafficking, vandalism of oil installations, ethnic crisis, destruction of lives 
and properties, armed robbery and a host of other crimes, has increasingly become regular 
occurrence across the length and breadth of the country (Imhonopi&Urim, 2016;Edem, Agba, & 
Ojong, 2020). The sad and bitter truth is that insecurity principally characterized the Nigerian 
society. 

Insecurity in Calabar, the Cross River State capital in recent past has become a major 
concern to all and sundry. The current state of insecurity according to Comfort, David and 
Moses, (2013) is a product of the growing spate of the unresolved socio-economic and 
infrastructural developmental deficit that supports the prevalence of poverty, unemployment, 
family disorganisation, social exclusion, urbanization, and inequality. These, have resulted to 
disappointment, estrangement, and finally, social dissatisfaction that ignite hostility and crime 
among the residents and the citizens. The prevailing security situation in Calabar (the Cross 
River State capital), is becoming worrisome considering the rate at which criminal gangs and 
rampaging cultists inflict pains on residents. It is on police record that some parts of Calabar, 
particularly, Calabar South had witnessed drastic and unprecedented security challenges. These 

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challenges range from kidnapping, ritual killings, assassinations, theft, burglary, rape, 
prostitution, murder, assault, armed robbery, and child stealing (Bassey &Ugbal, 2016). Other 
forms of crime common in this area are militancy, hostage taking, arms insurgence, cult 
activities, among others. 

The rising tide of insecurity in the State, especially in Calabar and the surrounding 
environs has created fear and anxiety in the minds of residents, forcing them sleep with one eye 
open (Ewa, 2016). Residents have severally been attacked by these criminal elements who often 
break into their apartments with all kinds of sophisticated weapons and dispossess them of their 
valuables like cell phones, laptops, cars, wrist watches, money, among others, leaving most of 
their victims in a sorrowful state. This development has created panic in the life of residents who 
are now scared of staying outdoors at night for fear of being attacked by hoodlums, who have 
devised new strategies to prevent them from being caught by the law enforcement agencies 
(Bassey &Ugbal, 2016). Following the general state of insecurity, investors are scared to invest 
because of the fear of the unknown. This development has significantly affected the economy of 
the State. 

Despite frantic efforts by law enforcement agencies to check the excesses of these 
hoodlums through routine patrol, intelligence gathering, as well as, stop and search exercises in 
different parts of Calabar, the security situation is still delicate. Imhonopi and Urim (2016) and 
Ewetan and Urhie, (2014) posit that the current wave of insecurity in the State poses a greater 
threat than ever before. They reported that the prevailing security situation has caused sufficient 
harm to the affected areas in terms of loss of lives and properties, discouragement of local and 
foreign investors; large part of government resources meant for development purposes 
channelled into the security vote. All of these stifles and retards the socio-economic development 
of Calabar, the Cross River State capital.  

Against this backdrop, the following research questions were formulated to guide the 
study: 
(i) What is the relationship between the utilization of biometric technology and crime 

control in Calabar Metropolis?  
(ii) How does the utilization of close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras result to crime 

control in Calabar Metropolis? 
(iii) What is the relationship between social media policing and crime control in Calabar 

Metropolis? 
(iv) To what extent does the utilization of tracking device result to crime control in Calabar 

Metropolis? 
Study Area 

The study area is the Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State, Nigeria. It has an area of 
274.429sq. km and with a population of 371,022 by the 2006 census, of which the Efiks, 
Ejaghams and Bekwarras are the major ethnic groups (Agbor, 2007; National Population Census, 
2006). According to Google Maps, (2013) the city’s population is estimated at 399, 761. 
National Population Commission (2007) also revealed that there are about 74,580 households in 
the metropolis. 
Methodology 

The study adopts the cross-sectional survey research design. The choice of this design is 
because it allows the researcher to make inferences about the population by studying the sample 
as well as the generalization of the research findings. The study population were drawn from 
selected law enforcement agencies operating in the Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, 

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Nigeria. The selected law enforcement agencies are the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Custom 
Services, Immigration and the Nigeria Correctional Service. The population of this study consists 
of all male and female law enforcement officers aged 20 years and above serving in the Calabar 
Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised rank and files, as 
well as, Senior Officers (SOs). The researcher believes that this population are in better position 
to supply relevant information on the relationship between modern technology and crime control, 
as being employed and utilized in the study area. Two methods of sampling techniques were 
adopted namely, simple random and purposive sampling techniques. In stage one, the simple 
random sampling technique was used to select three (3) security outfits from five (5) selected 
law enforcement agencies in the Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. These security 
agencies were selected using the balloting methods of the simple random sampling technique. 
This was achieved by writing down names of the five selected law enforcement agencies in a 
piece of paper and put in a small basket where the researcher objectively and randomly selects 
three. From this activity, the following law enforcement agencies were selected: The Nigeria 
Police Force, DSS, and the Nigeria Immigration Service. These three (3) security outfits formed 
the three (3) clusters of the study. In stage two, the researcher purposively select one hundred 
and twenty-eight respondents from each of the three selected security organisations in the 
Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. This suggest that a total one hundred and twenty-
eight respondents were selected from the Nigeria Police Force, another one hundred and twenty-
eight respondents were selected from the DSS and Nigeria Immigration Service respectively, to 
give a total of 384 respondents. 
Sample size 

The sample comprised of male and female officers who are currently serving with the 
Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Customs, Immigration and the Nigeria Correctional Service in the 
Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. Since the population of the study is unknown, 
Cochran sample determinant was adopted in determining the sample size. To determine the 
sample size for officers serving in the Calabar Metropolis, Cross River, Cochran’s formula 
(1963) was adopted. The formula for Cochran sample size determinant is stated thus: 

� =
��(��)

��
 

Where: 
n = Required sample size 
Z = Confidence level (put at 95% or 1.96) 
p     = Proportion of officers serving in the Calabar Metropolis, Cross River state age 20 

years and above (given in this study as 50%). That is 0.5 
q = Compliment of p (put at 50%, i.e, 1 - 50%). That is 0.5 
e = Level of accuracy or margin error (put at 0.05). 
Applying the formula therefore, 

� =
1.96�(0.5)(0.5)

0.05�
 

� =
3.8416 (0.25)

0.0025
 

� =
0.9604

0.0025
 

� = 384.16 
� = 384 

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The sample for this study thus consists of three hundred and eighty-four (384) male and 
female respondents purposively drawn from selected security outfits in the Calabar Metropolis, 
Cross River State, Nigeria. Data for the study werecollected through questionnaire. Out of three 
hundred and eighty-four (384) questionnaires administered, three hundred and fifty-eight (358) 
were recovered and therefore used for analysis.The statistical tool adopted for data analyzes was 
linear regression. 
Results 

This segment of the study focuses on the analysis of data about the research hypotheses 
that were asked at the early stage of this investigation. 
Hypothesis  Ho1:Utilization of biometric technology does not significantly contribute to crime 
control in the Calabar Metropolis. 

Table 1: Summary simple linear regression analysis of the contribution of biometric 
technology to crime control  

The independent variable in this hypothesis is utilization of biometric technology, while 
the dependent variable is crime control. Both variables were measured continuously and 
inferential statistics involving simple linear regression was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 
level of significance and the result is presented in table 1. The result of analysis as presented in 
table 4.2 for greater impression of data distribution, revealed R-value of 0.260a. Correlation 
coefficient is a standardized measure of an observed degree of relationship between variables, it 
is a commonly used measure of the size of an effect, and that values of ±.1 represent a small 
effect, ±.3 is a medium effect and ±.5 is a large effect.Also, the R2 –value of .068 imply that 68% 
of total variance is accounted for by predictor variable (utilization of biometric). Furthermore, 
the regression ANOVA revealed that the F (1, 356) = 11.424; p < .05, is significant. Thus, the 
null hypothesis was rejected. This implies that there is a significant linear association 
(contribution) of the predictor variable (utilization of biometric) on crime control in the study 
area.The adjusted R2 (.067) shows some shrinkage of the unadjusted value (.068) indicating that 
the model could be generalized on the population. Based on the result, it was concluded that 
utilization of biometric significantly contributes to crime control in the study area. 
Hypothesis  Ho2: There is no significant relationship between utilization of CCTV cameras and 
crime control in the Calabar Metropolis 
Table 2:  Summary simple linear regression analysis of the contribution of CCTV to crime 

control 

Variables  Mean Std. 
Deviation 

Utilization of 
biometric 
 
Crime control 

15.4246 
 
 
24.8436 

5.72487 
 
 

9.85881 
 
Model 

Sum of 
Squares 

df Mean 
Square 

F R R 
Square 

Adjusted 
R Square 

Sig 

 Regression 167.717 1 167.717 11.424 .260a .068 .067 .000a 
Residual 41927.524 356 117.774      
Total 42095.240 357       

Variables  Mean Std. Deviation 

CCTV 12.5084 7.60651 

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The independent variable in this hypothesis is utilization of CCTV, while the dependent 
variable is crime control. Both variables were measured continuously and inferential statistics 
involving simple linear regression was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance 
and the result is presented in table 2. The result of analysis as presented in table 4.3 for greater 
impression of data distribution, revealed R-value of 0.244a. Correlation coefficient is a 
standardized measure of an observed degree of relationship between variables, it is a commonly 
used measure of the size of an effect, and that values of ±.1 represent a small effect, ±.3 is a 
medium effect and ±.5 is a large effect. Also, the R2 –value of .060 imply that 60% of total 
variance is accounted for by predictor variable (utilization of CCTV). Furthermore, the 
regression ANOVA revealed that the F (1, 356) = 14.608; p < .05, is significant. Thus, the null 
hypothesis was rejected. This implies that there is a significant linear association (contribution) 
of the predictor variable (utilization of CCTV) on crime control in the study area. The adjusted 
R2 (.058) shows some shrinkage of the unadjusted value (.060) indicating that the model could 
be generalized on the population. Based on the result, it was concluded that utilization of CCTV 
significantly contributes to crime control in the study area. 
Hypothesis  Ho3:There is no significant relationship between social media policing and crime 
control in the Calabar Metropolis 
Table 3: Summary simple linear regression analysis of the contribution of social media 
policing to crime control 
Variables  Mean Std. 

Deviation 

Social media  
 
Policing crime control 

19.8352 
 
24.8436 

6.21268 
 

9.85881 
 
Model 

Sum of 
Squares 

df Mean 
Square 

F R R 
Square 

Adjusted 
R Square 

Sig 

 Regression 281.011 1 281.011 12.392 .211a .045 .043 .000a 
Residual 41814.230 356 117.456      
Total 42095.240 357       

The independent variable in this hypothesis is utilization of social media policing, while 
the dependent variable is crime control. Both variables were measured continuously and 
inferential statistics involving simple linear regression was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 
level of significance and the result is presented in table 3. The result of analysis as presented in 
table 4.4 for greater impression of data distribution, revealed R-value of 0.211a. Correlation 
coefficient is a standardized measure of an observed degree of relationship between variables, it 
is a commonly used measure of the size of an effect, and that values of ±.1 represent a small 
effect, ±.3 is a medium effect and ±.5 is a large effect.Also, the R2 –value of .045 imply that 45% 

 
Crime control 

 
24.8436 

 
9.85881 

 
Model 

Sum of 
Squares 

Df Mean 
Square 

F R R 
Square 

Adjusted 
R Square 

Sig 

 Regression 537.934 1 537.934 14.608 .244a .060 .058 .000a 
Residual 41557.306 356 116.734      
Total 42095.240 357       

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of total variance is accounted for by predictor variable (utilization of social media policing). 
Furthermore, the regression ANOVA revealed that the F (1, 356) = 12.392; p < .05, is 
significant. Thus, the null hypothesis was rejected. This implies that there is a significant linear 
association (contribution) of the predictor variable (utilization of social media policing) on crime 
control in the study area. The adjusted R2 (.043) shows some shrinkage of the unadjusted value 
(.045) indicating that the model could be generalized on the population. Based on the result, it 
was concluded that utilization of social media policing significantly contributes to crime control 
in the study area. 
Hypothesis  Ho4:Utilization of tracking device has no significant relationship with crime control 
in the Calabar Metropolis. 
Table 4: Summary simple linear regression analysis of the contribution of tracking device 
to crime control 

The independent variable in this hypothesis is utilization of social media policing, while 
the dependent variable is crime control. Both variables were measured continuously and 
inferential statistics involving simple linear regression was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 
level of significance and the result is presented in table 4. The result of analysis as presented in 
table 4.5 for greater impression of data distribution, revealed R-value of 0.233a. Correlation 
coefficient is a standardized measure of an observed degree of relationship between variables, it 
is a commonly used measure of the size of an effect, and that values of ±.1 represent a small 
effect, ±.3 is a medium effect and ±.5 is a large effect.Also, the R2 –value of .054 imply that 52% 
of total variance is accounted for by predictor variable (utilization of tracking devices). 
Furthermore, the regression ANOVA revealed that the F (1, 356) = 22.110; p < .05, is 
significant. Thus, the null hypothesis was rejected. This implies that there is a significant linear 
association (contribution) of the predictor variable (utilization of tracking devices) on crime 
control in the study area.The adjusted R2 (.054) shows some shrinkage of the unadjusted value 
(.052) indicating that the model could be generalized on the population. Based on the result, it 
was concluded that utilization of tracking devices significantly contributes to crime control in the 
study area. 
Discussion of findings 

The findings of the first hypothesis revealed that the utilization of biometric technology 
significantly relate to crime control in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The 
implication of this result is that increasing number of security agencies like the police force, 
DSS, Immigration service are relying on biometric technology in the discharge of their security 
duties. This important security equipment is receiving a lot of attention among security 
organisations because of the potential to increase the accuracy and reliability of identification 

Variables  Mean Std. 
Deviation 

Tracking device  
 
Crime control 

14.6927 
 
24.8436 

4.44518 
 

9.85881 
 
Model 

Sum of 
Squares 

Df Mean 
Square 

F R R 
Square 

Adjusted 
R Square 

Sig 

 Regression 248.048 1 248.048 22.110 .233a .054 .052 .000a 
Residual 41847.192 356 117.548      
Total 42095.240 357       

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and authentication functions, especially in crime detection and control. Through the deployment 
of this technology, which consists of cameras, fingerprint scanners, and DNA analysers, 
stationed at strategic places in the state likes borders and airports, government institutions, and 
schools, criminal investigation has been made easy, criminals are deter from operating in those 
place for the fear of being easily identified and apprehended. The findings further revealed that 
although the presence of these sophisticated security equipment has not stop crime completely, 
rather it has reduced the rate of crime occurrences, enabled law enforcement agents to carry out 
their statutory responsibility efficiently and effectively, which is to investigate and apprehend 
criminal offenders. It was also gathered from the key informant interview (KII) that there is a 
high relationship between the use of biometrics technology and crime control in Calabar 
Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. Qualitative responses gathered from during the KII 
session corroborate with the findings of the quantitative data. A significant number of the 
interviewee noted that biometrics technology has been used over the years by law enforcement 
agencies and intelligence agencies in the state to curb criminal activities.  

The result of the second hypothesis indicates that there is a significant relationship 
between the utilization of CCTV cameras and crime control in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River 
State, Nigeria. This is to say that the installation of CCTV cameras by corporate entities, and 
shops has helped prevent crime by reducing the number of criminal opportunities and increasing 
the perceived risk of offenders being apprehended with easy in the study area. Corporate 
organisations in the state are encouraged by law enforcement agents to install CCTV camera in 
other to deter criminal elements from attacking them. The study shows that CCTV has the 
potential to assist police after the commission of crimes, specifically by improving the response 
of personnel to emergencies (Ratcliffe, 2006), providing visual evidence for use in criminal 
investigations (Ashby, 2017), and securing early guilty pleas from offenders (Owen, Keats, & 
Gill, 2006). Put differently, CCTV is considered to be the triggering of a perceptual mechanism 
that impacts an offender's choice structuring properties in a manner that persuades them to 
abstain from crime (Ratcliffe, 2006). 

The result of the statistical analysis relating to hypothesis three indicates there is a 
significant relationship between social media policing and crime control in Calabar Metropolis, 
Cross River State, Nigeria. The study reveals that social media policing facilitates opportunities 
for surveillance and communication, providing tools for systematically gathering and 
disseminating information by law enforcement agents. As the popularity of social media rises, 
these tools provide opportunities for law enforcement agencies to proactively reach out and 
connect with citizens and facilitates crime control in real time. Stuart (2013) revealed that social 
media is a crucial tool for law enforcement agents, because it can help them connect with the 
public. He maintained that with social media, the public can send and receive real time 
information and provide related documents such as pictures and audio records that can help to 
control crimes. Social media allow law enforcement agents to remain in contact with local 
communities thus providing a useful source of information in an effective way. Leveraging 
Facebook is just one of many ways law enforcement officials are gleaning evidence from social 
media to help them control crimes. Kelling and Moore (2005) observed that with the start of the 
21st century, policing has entered an information era in which order maintenance is data driven, 
intelligence led, and technologically mediated. 

The result of the statistical analysis for hypothesis four reveal that the utilization of 
tracking device has a significant relationship with crime control in Calabar Metropolis, Cross 
River State, Nigeria. The findings of the study show that tracking device enables police 

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personnel to plan effectively for emergency response, determine mitigation priorities, analyse 
historical events, and predict future events (Chan, Brerton, Legosz, & Doran, 2001). According 
to Chainey and Ratcliffe (2005) tracking device helps identify potential suspects to increase 
investigators suspect base when no leads are evident. Bond and Braga (2013) reported that the 
ability to access and process information quickly while displaying it in a spatial and visual 
medium allows agencies to allocate resources quickly and more effectively. The findings of the 
study reveal that tracking device helps co-ordinate vast amounts of location-based data from 
multiple sources. It enables the user to layer the data and view the data most critical to the issue 
or mission (Ariel & Sherman, 2012).  
Conclusion 

Conclusively, modern security equipment has been used all over the world by various law 
enforcement agents to respond to, detect, and prevent crime. Particularly, the Police force, DSS, 
and Immigration service daily depend on different modern security equipment in adapting and 
responding to unexpected or unknown situations, as well as recognized situations, such as theft 
or other severe criminal attacks. Modern security equipment enables law enforcement agents to 
carry out routine patrol, criminal investigation, intelligence gathering, surveillance, as well as 
enhance service delivery to the public. This suggests that, the quality and quantity of security 
equipment at the disposal of law enforcement agents significantly influences their performance 
during operations and responses to emergency. The implication of operating with obsolete 
security equipment include but not limited to inability of law enforcement agents to effectively 
and efficiently response to distress call and unravel criminal incident at record time. Increase in 
criminal activities especially violent crime involving armed robbery, ritual, murder, political 
assassinations, kidnapping, ethno-religious violence, and electoral violence explains why law 
enforcement agents should be empowered with modern security equipment. This is because an 
ill-equipped and ineffective law enforcement agent cannot guarantee the security of citizens. 
Recommendations 

Based on these findings, the following recommendations were made: 
(i) There is an urgent need to improve the general conditions of service of police officers in 

Nigeria, this will motivate them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities 
efficiently and effectively. 

(ii) Government should provide increased funding in equipping officers of the NPF with 
renewed emphasis on modern policing techniques including training on forensic science, 
psychology and the use of DNA and Ballistics techniques. 

(iii) Government should establish good diplomatic relationship with countries with well-
equipped security forces with the aim of these nations helping the Nigeria security outfits 
in training and developing necessary skills to handle and operate sophisticated modern 
security equipment 

 
 

  

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