The minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, Bosun Tijani, has revealed that bandits employ “a special kind of technology” to make phone calls and avoid detection by security agencies.
The minister disclosed this during a conversation with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday night.
Tijani explained that tracking the communications of bandits for intelligence gathering is “more technical” than many Nigerians realise.
According to him, the criminals deliberately route their calls through multiple communication towers, making it difficult for security operatives to monitor or trace their activities.
“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 [the bandits] 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.”
Tijani added that the federal government is also taking steps to upgrade Nigeria’s satellites to strengthen security surveillance.
“Because if our towers are not working, our satellites will work,” he said.
The minister stressed that the challenge underscores the urgent need for “significant investment” in telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
Drawing a comparison, Tijani noted that China has more than four million 5G towers, while Nigeria currently has only about 40,000.
The comments come amid a renewed wave of insecurity, especially in northern Nigeria.
In recent weeks, schoolchildren have been abducted by bandits in Niger and Kebbi states, while churches have come under attack in Kogi and Kwara states.
The escalation in school abductions and community killings prompted the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to announce a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17.