ABUJA, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said armed bandits are exploiting weak mobile network infrastructure to evade security forces, using techniques that make their phone communications difficult to trace during attacks.
Speaking to reporters Friday in Abuja, Tijani said criminals deliberately take advantage of poor cellular coverage by routing calls across multiple telecom towers, masking their locations and frustrating interception efforts.
“They intentionally bounce calls through several base stations,” Tijani said. “This makes it extremely difficult for authorities to pinpoint where calls originate or to disrupt their coordination.”
The tactic significantly complicates efforts by security agencies, particularly in remote and rural areas where network coverage is inconsistent, he said. Bandits have used the method while planning and carrying out kidnappings, armed robberies and village raids, officials said.
Tijani emphasized that improving telecommunications infrastructure is critical to both national security and economic development, warning that poor coverage in parts of northern and central Nigeria creates vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.
Security experts have corroborated the minister’s claims, saying inadequate network penetration combined with limited surveillance capabilities gives criminal groups a technological edge over law enforcement.
“The gaps in coverage provide safe havens for communication,” said a security analyst familiar with counter-banditry operations. “When infrastructure is weak, criminals can operate with less risk of detection.”
The Communications Ministry said it is working with network operators to identify and deploy technological solutions to counter such abuses, including expanding tower coverage and strengthening systems to prevent manipulation.
Tijani called for closer collaboration between telecom companies and security agencies, saying the sector has a responsibility to support national safety efforts.
Beyond security concerns, he warned that the practice affects everyday users by disrupting service and potentially compromising legitimate communications. He urged telecom firms to deploy additional towers and improve coverage to reduce the chances of network exploitation by criminals.
Civil society groups welcomed the disclosure, urging the government to prioritize rural network expansion while maintaining strict regulatory oversight. They also called for public awareness campaigns to educate residents in high-risk areas on safe communication practices.
Observers say the issue underscores the need for a broader approach to Nigeria’s security challenges, combining policing and military action with investment in infrastructure, intelligence gathering and community engagement.
