Why it’s hard tracking bandits with technology — Presidential aide

FILE PHOTO: Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala

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Criminals’ use of foreign internet services makes it difficult for security agents to track bandits in Nigeria, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said.

Bwala stated this while speaking in an interview with Nigeriainfofm, posted on their Instagram page on Friday.

He explained that while security agencies can 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,” Bwala said.

He added, “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’s comments highlight the technological challenges facing security agencies in the fight against banditry and terrorism across the country.

Nigeria has faced a surge in insecurity, with banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings increasingly affecting communities, particularly in the northwest and northeast. In the last few months, there have been multiple attacks on villages, abductions of schoolchildren, and raids on highways, causing widespread fear and disrupting local economies.

Recent reports indicate that some criminal groups are increasingly using social media and digital communication tools to coordinate their activities.

In May 2025, a report by The Guardian stated that jihadists in the northeast were reported to be using TikTok to spread propaganda, risking youth recruitment and showcasing an arsenal of weapons and cash in videos accessible to millions.

In recent months, reports indicate that some suspected terrorists and bandits have turned to social media platforms such as TikTok to post videos of weapons, cash, and their hideouts.

These videos sometimes include threats, flaunting of ransom payments, or calls for support, creating a front that spreads fear and may aid recruitment.

There are also documented cases where kidnappers and bandits flaunt ransom payments and loot on TikTok.

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