CORONAVIRUS: STAY-HOME POLICY, SECURITY & DATA

Global economies are shut down due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic; the whole world is faced with an unprecedented crisis situation that has defied solutions. Lives are being lost on hourly basis, and in large numbers also. Statistics revealed that over 1 million confirmed cases have been recorded worldwide while total deaths is about 53,069 so far. Countries like the United States, Italy, Spain, Germany, China (where the pandemic is said to have originated), France, Iran, United Kingdom and Switzerland have the highest number of COVID-19 cases as well as highest number of deaths recorded. Nevertheless, Asia and the Western world are not the only victims of this pandemic; there have also been recorded cases of this virus in South American countries, the Middle East, Australia and in Africa. Nigeria being the most populous African country has almost 200 recorded cases of COVID-19 already, and the chances of flattening this curve is quite slim as more cases are being discovered. With no apparent solution in view (except speculations), no one knows when or if the pandemic war may come to an end soon. 

The President’s speech was explicit; while social distancing may be the social remedy in a bid to control (or, at most circumscribe) the spread of this pandemic, stay-home policy helps to implement this by making it effective. Governors of the various States of the federation have also joined hands with Mr. President in the war against the deadly pandemic, by imposing curfews, thereby restricting public movement (i.e. discouraging social interactions) in their states: It is believed that these actions by the government could mitigate the effects and the spread of the virus, while World Health Organization (WHO) seeks a permanent solution. In addition, the use of facial mask and regular hand-washing have also been said to be an effective way of neutralizing the spread the virus. Hence, the public awareness in this regard, more especially by the media houses and the concerned government agencies, is a commendable effort. Moreover, the level of preparedness in terms of the setting up of the various isolation centres, especially by the Lagos state government as well as the effective and efficient contact-tracing action which is a collaboration between the airport health officials and Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) as well as Lagos State Ministry of Health is also very commendable. This is a proof that the government and the citizens have not in any way taken for granted the debilitating effect COVID-19 could have on the population if not effectively and efficiently managed:

The coordination of bailout funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in providing succor for the health sector at this period is a welcome development. This fund is expected to be judiciously utilized in procuring medical equipment and, perhaps prepare and equip more isolation centres in order to manage the existing cases and control further outbreaks. Interestingly, there have been well-meaning citizens who have generously corroborated the good gesture of the CBN by making huge donations (either in cash, medical items supply or otherwise) towards this course. This is quite significant, because it is reflective of the fact that there is unity of purpose in the fight against the common enemy, and this is giving hope where the prevailing situation is concerned.

Inasmuch as the entire situation seems to be under control vis-à-vis the level of preparedness and social response where COVID-19 is concerned, the problem of insecurity remains a core priority and this should be the responsibility of all and sundry. The entire global communities are currently vulnerable due to the debilitating effect of Coronavirus; any weakened system automatically becomes vulnerable. A few reported cases like the poor quality medical items (e.g. test kits, even infected test kits as reported in Switzerland and United Kingdom), fake drugs, fake vaccines etc. are examples. In some other climes, cases of criminal minds’ online activities have been reportedly doubled: According to Action Fraud; ‘Since February 2020, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has identified 21 reports of fraud where Coronavirus was mentioned with victim losing a total of GBP 800,000’:

 Here in Nigeria, the reported cases of insecurity especially at this period seem to be in a different dimension; Boko Haram- the terrorists’ sudden attack (the ambush) on the Nigerian Army in which over 70 Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed may not be unconnected with the distraction caused by COVID-19 pandemic. The terrorists obviously took advantage of the current situation. Nigeria has been faced with lots of security challenges, in the recent times, mostly as a result of Boko Haram activities both within the country and at her borders. Even as the fight against the dreaded ‘invisible’ plague is on-going, the government should not relent its efforts in the fight against the ‘visible’ enemy that is bent on grounding the economic and social activities in the country.

Furthermore, with the whooping estimated population of over 180 million people, and over 86 million of this population living in extreme poverty (according to the report by The World Poverty Clock) in Nigeria, the Stay-Home policy has its side effects especially on the poor population. Most of the people who belong to this category have only got a means of daily survival, and for them COVID-19 could only make their pitiable condition worse. Hence, there has been several reported cases of clashes between the people and the military officers on patrol enforcing the Stay-Home policy, which have resulted in fatal injuries, and even death in some cases. The reason for this is not far-fetched; these people could only survive on daily economic activities which are now shutdown due to the prevailing Pandemic.

A desperate situation sometimes requires or demands a desperate response; this is probably the situation global communities have found themselves, more especially with regards to containing the raging prolific pandemic and, Nigeria is no exception. The government should carefully manage the situation with greater considerations for the population of the people living in extreme poverty who may be experiencing a double tragedy at the moment; not being able to go about their daily bread and being vulnerable to contracting the deadly COVID-19. Some crime research materials have revealed the fact that some people (especially those with low resistance power of self-control) may be compelled to take to crime as a means of survival especially when faced with unpalatable situations or suppressed under certain harsh economic conditions. Even though, there is no moral justification for crime in any society (and there should not be), however the government should not be oblivious of the economic realities created by the outbreak of Coronavirus, hence effective management of the situation and the people must be top priority: In a desperate situation, people sometimes get desperate for survival, not because they are bad but because they are human.

 Albeit, the Nigerian government is said to be distributing some relief materials and in some cases giving money (in form of cash) to ‘the Poor’. Hence, the following question comes to mind; how is the government able to establish the database for this category of Nigerians- living in extreme poverty? Inasmuch as this is a good and commendable gesture, however more can be done to alleviate the economic hardship of the people through data systems. For example, the distribution process of relief materials and cash can be made more efficient through the citizens’ bank code- BVN (Bank Verification Number). Apart from the fact that the government will be able to effectively reach out to every citizen, for those who are yet to undergo this registration procedure, this period could be yet another opportunity for the government to update its database systems via the Bank Verification Number exercise. Distributions of relief materials (cash inclusive) can be well monitored via the citizens’ BVN, and the government will be able to efficiently account for the money spent post-Conronavirus.

In the new age of science and technology, conventional approach to managing a crisis situation such as the prevailing COVID-19 or waging war against criminal activities like terrorism, cyber-crimes, kidnapping, police brutality etc are now considered quite obsolete. The leadership of Nigeria must wake up to this reality of the digital age by storing data and keeping records. The department of National Planning must do more in ensuring every citizen is accounted for. It is only by this means a government of the day is able to manage crisis more effectively as well as handle more carefully its security challenges.

By

‘Tunde Adeparusi- A member of the British Society of Criminology

Wrote via: [email protected]

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