Bandits use tech to evade tracking – Minister

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, has revealed that armed bandits in Nigeria deploy sophisticated communication methods that make it difficult for security agencies to monitor their calls

Speaking during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday night, Tijani explained that tracking the communications of criminal groups is far more complex than many Nigerians realise.

According to the minister, bandits rely on advanced techniques that allow their calls to evade surveillance by security operatives. He said the criminals deliberately route their communications through several transmission points to avoid detection.

“The reason why the president actually pushed us to invest in towers in those areas is that we realised that there was a special kind of technology that they were using to call,” he 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.”

Tijani noted that the federal government is also focusing on strengthening satellite capabilities to boost intelligence gathering and security operations across the country.

“Because if our towers are not working, our satellites will work,” he said.

He added that the challenges posed by insecurity highlight the urgent need for heavy investment in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, drawing comparisons with more advanced markets.

“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,” Tijani said.

His comments come amid a renewed surge in insecurity nationwide, with northern states particularly affected. In recent weeks, schoolchildren have been abducted by bandits in Niger and Kebbi states, while churches have come under attack in Kogi and Kwara.

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