The Lagos State Police Command has called on transport operators, hotel owners and other stakeholders to adopt a digital system for recording passenger and guest information as part of efforts to improve crime prevention and investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, said the National Transit E-Manifest (NTEM) initiative would help address security gaps associated with handwritten passenger manifests and inadequate digital records in hotels and guest houses.
Fatai spoke on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ engagement on NTEM held at the Police Officers’ Mess, GRA, Ikeja.
He said criminals involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, human trafficking and other organised crimes could exploit inadequate passenger and guest records to conceal their identities and movements, making it difficult for security agencies to identify suspects and reconstruct their activities.
According to him, the changing nature of crime requires security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve information sharing and adopt technology-driven approaches to detecting and preventing criminal activities.
He described NTEM as a digital framework designed to improve the management of passenger records and hospitality guest information, enhance accountability and provide authorised security agencies with relevant information to support investigations.
The initiative, developed through collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and industry stakeholders, is expected to support transport operators, motor park managers, hospitality businesses and authorised security agencies.
Fatai said the integration of identity verification, including the appropriate use of National Identification Number (NIN) verification, into passenger manifest and hotel check-in processes could improve the reliability of records and assist security agencies in responding to incidents.
He, however, stressed that the use of technology for security purposes must comply with applicable laws and respect citizens’ fundamental rights.
He cited the Police Act 2020 as the legal basis for the Police Force’s crime prevention and detection responsibilities, while noting that electronic records intended for use in court must satisfy relevant provisions of the Evidence Act 2011, including Section 84 where applicable.
The commissioner also emphasised the need to comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, particularly in the lawful collection, processing, storage and protection of personal information.
He said the implementation of NTEM must be guided by accountability, appropriate access controls and responsible information management, adding that personal data should only be handled for legitimate purposes in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Fatai said the initiative’s success would depend on the commitment of transport unions, motor park operators, hotel owners, hospitality managers and security personnel to maintaining accurate records and using the platform responsibly.
He urged stakeholders to engage with the NTEM implementation team, familiarise themselves with its operational procedures and prepare their organisations for implementation.
The commissioner said effective cooperation between public institutions and private-sector operators was essential to strengthening preventive policing, protecting commercial activities and improving security for residents, visitors and investors.
He added that the initiative presented an opportunity to build a more proactive and responsive security system through the combination of technology, credible information and institutional cooperation.
The engagement was attended by senior police officers, representatives of the Presidency, the NTEM implementation team, transport unions and hospitality industry associations.
Those present included the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Adesina Lawal; the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, DCP Anthony Placid; Travi Mobile Limited Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jonah Ukoh; and NTEM Director of Operations, Pastor Liliane Sleek Ukoha.
Others were the Police Force’s NTEM consultant, Nelson Omanibe; the Presidency’s representative, Bello Buhari Ibrahim; Director-General of the Hotel Owners and Managers Association of Lagos, Adeniyi Ologun; Lagos Hoteliers Association President, Talabi Oluomo; and Lanre Majekodunmi, who represented the state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.