Nigeria’s fight against armed banditry and terrorism is facing a new and unexpected obstacle: technology that exists outside its borders. A presidential aide has revealed that many criminal groups operating in the country now rely on foreign-owned or satellite-based communication systems, making it extremely difficult for local security agencies to trace, monitor, or intercept their activities.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, made this known during an interview on a Nigerian radio programme. He explained that although Nigerian law enforcement agencies possess the technical ability to track individuals using local mobile networks and internet services, those capabilities are severely limited when suspects connect through foreign systems that are not registered within Nigeria’s regulatory framework.
According to Bwala, Nigeria has a regulatory structure that requires citizens’ phone numbers to be registered and linked to verifiable identities. This means that when communication takes place using Nigerian networks, authorities can trace call records, track IP addresses, and determine the general location of suspects. However, that entire system becomes useless when foreign internet services or satellite providers are used.
“If someone is using a local internet provider, it is possible to trace that user through the IP address,” he explained. “But when communication is routed through foreign or satellite-based services that do not have a registered presence here, the ability to track those communications becomes almost impossible.”
One example he cited was Starlink, the satellite internet service that provides coverage in remote areas. Because it does not operate under Nigeria’s national telecom structure, its users cannot be easily traced by Nigerian agencies. Bwala pointed out that even advanced countries involved in war situations, such as Ukraine and Russia, have faced similar challenges in tracking enemy communications routed through space-based internet systems.
This growing use of advanced technology by criminals is adding a new dimension to an already complex security crisis. For more than a decade, Nigeria has battled different forms of insecurity, ranging from mass kidnappings and rural bandit attacks to violent extremism and armed robbery along highways. Entire villages in the northwest and northeast have been abandoned as residents flee ongoing attacks, while farmers are often too afraid to access their land. These conditions have had a serious impact on food production, education, and local economies.
In recent months, there have been repeated reports of armed groups attacking communities, abducting students from schools, and engaging in deadly clashes with security personnel. In response, the government has deployed military units, established new operational commands, and launched joint operations with neighbouring countries. Despite these efforts, criminals continue to adapt, finding new ways to coordinate and hide their movements.
Disturbingly, some of these networks have turned to social media not just as a communication tool, but also as a platform for intimidation and recruitment. Videos have surfaced showing armed men posing with weapons, displaying stacks of cash believed to be ransom payments, and issuing threats to communities. These posts, which sometimes attract thousands of views, become difficult to trace when uploaded through foreign or satellite networks.
Security experts warn that this kind of online exposure does more than spread fear — it can also inspire other vulnerable youths to join the groups. Analysts say the mix of visibility, money, and power portrayed online can become a dangerous recruitment strategy in regions already suffering from poverty and lack of opportunity.
Beyond the technological barrier, Nigeria also has to contend with geographical and logistical difficulties. Many bandit groups operate in dense forests, mountain regions, and border communities that are not easily accessible. These areas span across several states and often extend into neighbouring countries, making it harder for local authorities to pursue suspects without international cooperation.
There is also the legal challenge of regulating emerging technology. While local communication companies operate under Nigerian law, satellite and external service providers may not be easily brought under the same rules. This has sparked renewed debate on the need for stronger international partnerships, updated cyber laws, and new agreements that can give Nigerian authorities limited access to data from foreign-based platforms being used for criminal activity within the country.
In response to these developments, security analysts are urging the government to invest in more advanced cyber-intelligence capabilities and strengthen cross-border cooperation with other nations. They also suggest that local communities should be supported with better intelligence-sharing channels, so suspicious activities can be reported and addressed more quickly.
Although Bwala’s comments highlighted the limitations currently faced by security agencies, they also revealed an important reality: the battle against insecurity is no longer being fought only with guns and patrol vehicles, but also in the digital and technological space. Criminal networks have evolved, and for Nigeria to regain the upper hand, its strategies must evolve as well.
For millions of Nigerians living in affected regions, this is not just a technology problem — it is a matter of survival, safety, and the right to live without fear.
Source:Africa Publicity
