Perception of Open-Source Information and Criminal Activities in Nigeria: Two Sides of a Coin.

The article examines the dual role of open-source information (OSI) in Southwest Nigeria, focusing on its use by law enforcement agencies to detect and prevent youth involvement in criminal activities, as well as its exploitation by youths for criminal purposes. Based on a quantitative survey of youths and law enforcement personnel across Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun states, the study finds that a majority perceive OSI—particularly data from social media—as valuable for identifying crime trends and hotspots, and support integrating OSI with traditional investigative methods. However, significant skepticism exists regarding the effectiveness of current OSI utilization, mainly due to inadequate training, resources, and analytical capacity within law enforcement. The authors recommend enhanced investment in analytical tools, continuous training, and inter-agency collaboration to improve the practical application of OSI in crime prevention and detection.