Accessibility of Information and Communication Technology by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in south western Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) mandate is to develop structures and training strategies that would contribute to national security by using modern technology. However, in spite of the establishment of the NSCDC, crime rate has been increasing in Nigeria. This could be attributed to poor accessibility to ICT by NSCDC. Studies have been conducted on the Nigeria Police and the military with little attention given to security management by the NSCDC. This study, therefore, was designed to investigate accessibility to ICT as a determinant of security management by the NSCDC in South-western Nigeria. The study was hinged on the Path-Goal Theory. The study adopted the descriptive survey design of the correlational type. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 939 personnel based on the cadres from the departments of Administration (260), Operations (488), and Intelligence/Investigation (191), in Zone 'F' command of the NSCDC, South-west Nigeria. Majority of the personnel served in the Operations Department (52.0%) while the Intelligence Department had the lowest (20.3%). Most personnel fall under the Inspectorate (38.0%) and the Corps assistant (27.3%) cadres respectively. Males represented 62.8%, while the females 37.2%. Majority of the personnel fall within the age range of 26-30 (55.3%) followed by 21-25 (28.2%). Level of accessibility to ICT by NSCDC personnel was on the average (x̄ = 2.19 ); however, the ICT gadgets needed for core security duties ranked low. Computers ranked highest by the mean score (x̄ = 3.00 ) followed by mobile phones, (x̄ = 2.99) and laptops (x̄ = 2.95), while CCTV (x = 1.91) and spy video sunglasses(x = 1.91) ranked low, among others. Accessibility r = .550*) to ICT had significant relationship with security management by the NSCDC.

Keywords: ICT Accessibility, Security management, NSCDC, South-west, Nigeria.