Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has raised a critical alarm. He stated that Nigeria's security agencies are facing significant hurdles in tracking criminal elements, particularly bandits, due to their reliance on foreign internet services.
The Core Challenge: Tracing Beyond Borders
Bwala made these remarks during an interview with Nigeriainfofm, which was shared on their Instagram page on Friday, December 5, 2025. He explained the fundamental difference between monitoring local and international platforms.
"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 highlighted the specific problem posed by services like Starlink. "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," he added. Bwala further noted that terrorists and bandits often use cellular services from neighbouring countries, making surveillance and tracking extremely difficult for Nigerian authorities.
The Social Media Propaganda Machine
This technological challenge compounds the already severe insecurity crisis in Nigeria. The country continues to grapple with a surge in banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings, especially in the northwest and northeast regions. Communities face attacks, schoolchildren are abducted, and highways are raided, fostering widespread fear.
Reports indicate that criminal groups are not just using these foreign services for communication. They are also weaponizing popular social media platforms for propaganda and recruitment. In May 2025, The Guardian reported that jihadists in the northeast were using TikTok to spread their ideology.
In recent months, suspected terrorists and bandits have posted videos on TikTok displaying weapons, large sums of cash believed to be ransom payments, and their hideouts. These videos, which sometimes include direct threats or calls for support, are accessible to millions, potentially aiding recruitment and spreading fear.
Implications and the Path Forward
Bwala's comments underscore a critical technological gap in Nigeria's security architecture. The growing use of unregulated foreign internet services and the brazen exploitation of global social media platforms by criminals present a complex, multi-layered threat.
Security experts warn that without robust technological countermeasures, effective international cooperation, and potentially new regulatory frameworks, Nigeria's fight against banditry and terrorism will remain significantly hindered. The situation calls for a sophisticated approach that matches the evolving digital tactics of criminal and terrorist networks.
In a related discussion on kidnapping, Bwala had previously mentioned that several factors could lead to the release of victims without ransom. He stated that bandits might release captives if holding them creates unmanageable problems, and that influential figures, including religious leaders, can sometimes negotiate releases.
