Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, has revealed that bandits are using sophisticated technology to evade security surveillance, complicating efforts to track their movements and communications.
During an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday night, Tijani explained that the methods employed by these criminals are more complex than many Nigerians realise.
He said the bandits intentionally route their calls through multiple transmission towers, a tactic that frustrates security agencies attempting to trace them.
“The reason why the president actually pushed us to invest in towers in those areas is that we realised there was a special kind of technology that they were using to call,” Tijani said. “They were not using the normal towers; they bounce calls off multiple towers. That is why they enjoy living in areas that are unconnected.”
The minister also noted that the federal government is working to upgrade Nigeria’s satellites to strengthen monitoring and intelligence capabilities. “Because if our towers are not working, our satellites will work,” he added.
Tijani highlighted the need for major investment in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, pointing out the stark contrast with other countries. “If you go to China, they have over four million 5G towers. The total number of towers we have in Nigeria is just about 40,000,” he said.
His remarks come amid a surge in insecurity across the country, particularly in northern states. Recent incidents include the abduction of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states and attacks on churches in Kogi and Kwara states.
The rise in kidnappings and killings has prompted public outcry, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) scheduling a nationwide protest for December 17.
