The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has explained why it is hard to track bandits with technology.
Bwala spoke in an interview with Nigeria Info FM, posted on their Instagram page on Friday.
The presidential aide noted that criminals’ use of foreign internet services makes it difficult for security agents to track bandits in Nigeria.
He stated that while security agencies could trace Nigerians using local social media platforms, tracking criminals who rely on services outside the country is more complicated.
“There is a regulatory body in Nigeria that has the database of Nigerians and their phone numbers. There is also a body that deals with internet service provision, where if you are using an internet service covered within the sphere of Nigeria, they can trace through the IP address.
“If you are using Starlink, we cannot trace it because Starlink is not registered in Nigeria; it is in space. That is the problem they have in Ukraine and Russia.
“These terrorists most of the time are using cellular services from neighbouring countries and not from Nigeria, so it becomes tricky,” Bwala said.
His comments highlight the technological challenges facing security agencies in the fight against banditry and terrorism across the country.
DAILY POST reports that Nigeria has in recent times faces an escalated security challenge where people are being kidnapped including women and children.
Recall that last month, no fewer than 24 schoolgirls were kidnapped by bandits in Kebbi state. However, the abducted victims reportedly rgaiined their freedom afterwards.
Similarly, gunmen suspected to be bandits abducted over 200 schoolchidren from a Catholic private school in Niger state, out of which 50 reportedly escaped and were reunited with their families.
