Police: We’ll leverage social media to solve more crimes

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), says social media is not just a platform for entertainment but a valuable tool for law enforcement.

Adejobi spoke on Saturday in Lagos at the fifth edition of the Bodex Social Media Hangout (BSMH) titled ‘Social media: The influence, power, and impact’.

The Bodex social media hangout is a media talk shop that fosters collaboration among social media users, professionals, and stakeholders.

Adejobi, who spoke on the topic ‘The digital detective: Solving crimes in the social media age,’ emphasised the need for digital-savvy officers, who can leverage social media and its active users to solve more crimes.

“Social media is not just a platform for entertainment; it’s a valuable tool for law enforcement. By leveraging the power of the mass number of social media active users, we can solve more crimes and make our communities safer,” the police spokesperson said.

Dotun Babatunde, a digital communication professional who spoke on ‘The Impact of AI on social media,’ noted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the social media landscape and its impact on people’s attention spans.

Babatunde highlighted how AI-driven algorithms prioritise engagement and amplify sensational content while creating opportunities for personalised and meaningful interactions.

He urged users and creators to approach AI with a balanced perspective, recognising its potential and pitfalls.

He noted that “we live in an attention economy, where human attention is a scarce commodity”.

Tayo Popoola, an associate professor from the department of mass communication at the University of Lagos, described social media as a double-edged sword that empowers the voiceless and creates spaces for misinformation and toxicity.

Popoola noted the need for digital literacy to enable users to harness the benefits of social media while mitigating its negative impacts.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, represented by OreOluwa Finnih, his special adviser on sustainable development goals (SDG), reiterated the state government’s commitment to leveraging social media for growth and societal well-being.