INSECURITY: Nigerians Neglect Police ‘Rescue Me’ App

INSECURITY: Nigerians Neglect Police ‘Rescue Me’ App –

By Abayomi Dada (S221303048), Akinlade Salimot (S221303044) 400 Level.

Despite being almost three years since the Nigerian Police Force introduced its ‘Rescue Me’ application, recent data analysis conducted by The Group indicates that less than one percent of internet users in Nigeria have installed the application on their mobile devices.

This concerning revelation comes a midst escalating security challenges, including various forms of attacks, kidnappings, and killings across the nation.

Launched in 2021, the “Rescue Me” mobile application was envisioned as a tool to facilitate swift police responses to crimes and emergencies, leveraging technology to address insecurity in Nigeria. Utilizing internet services and GPS-based location tracking, the app aims to pinpoint the exact whereabouts of victims.

Accessible through the Android Google Play store and Apple store, the application has garnered only a modest download count, with checks revealing that fewer than 60,000 individuals have installed it. This figure represents a mere 0.05 percent of Nigeria’s internet user population.

The calculation, conducted by The Group, involved dividing the number of app downloads from the Play Store by the total number of Nigerians with internet access. According to 2023 data from Data Reportal, Nigeria boasted 193.9 million active cellular mobile connections, with 122.5 million users accessing the internet, and 31.60 million engaging with social media platforms.

Meanwhile, statistics from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) indicate that in 2023 alone, 8,734 Nigerians fell victim to various insecurity incidents, underscoring the urgency of addressing the country’s security challenges.

In an interview with a newspaper publication, Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi expressed frustration over Nigerians’ apparent apathy toward downloading the app, despite efforts by the police force to raise awareness and promote its benefits. Adejobi emphasized that while downloading the app is voluntary and free, it could significantly enhance safety for all individuals in Nigeria.

Adejobi disclosed that in 2022, the Nigerian Police Force received 10,122 fake emergency alerts via the Rescue Me App, highlighting the need for enhanced public education and engagement to mitigate misuse of the system.

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