Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has revealed that armed bandits operating across the country are using sophisticated technology to avoid detection by security agencies. He said the tactics being deployed by the criminals are far more advanced than commonly assumed, making tracking and interception increasingly difficult.
According to the minister, the bandits exploit complex communication methods that allow their calls and messages to bounce across several telecommunications towers. This process disrupts conventional surveillance systems and prevents security operatives from accurately identifying their locations, especially in remote areas with weak network coverage.
Tijani explained that the challenge highlights serious gaps in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, noting that the country has fewer telecom towers than required for effective nationwide monitoring. These gaps, he said, create blind spots that criminals take advantage of to carry out attacks and kidnappings without being easily traced.
He added that the federal government is working to address the problem by strengthening digital and communication infrastructure, including plans to enhance satellite capabilities. The upgrades, according to him, are expected to improve surveillance and security operations, particularly in hard-to-reach regions.
The minister’s disclosure comes amid rising concerns over insecurity in different parts of the country, as Nigerians continue to demand stronger and more technology-driven responses to the activities of bandits and other criminal groups.
