Why tracking bandits is difficult: Minister of Communication, Bosun Tijani explains
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has explained that criminal networks, including bandits involved in kidnappings, use sophisticated communication technology that makes them difficult to track through conventional SIM registration systems.
He said the calls made to victims’ families do not rely on standard mobile towers, challenging assumptions about unregistered or fraudulently registered SIM cards.
Speaking on the intersection between digital regulation and national security, Tijani dismissed claims that large numbers of unregistered SIMs remain active despite the National Identification Number linkage policy.
He noted that telecom operators had conducted a nationwide clean-up exercise to eliminate improperly registered lines from the system.
Beyond conventional mobile networks
He added, “It’s more technical than that communication. There was a special kind of technology that they were using to call. They weren’t using the normal towers. They bounced calls off multiple towers when they leave,” explaining why tracking the origin of such calls remains difficult.
Government response and satellite investment
Tijani said this technical reality partly explains why bandits prefer operating in remote and unconnected areas, where conventional network infrastructure is weak or absent.
He added that the technology being used does not depend solely on Nigeria’s standard mobile tower architecture.
The minister revealed that President Bola Tinubu approved increased investment in telecommunications towers in hard-to-reach areas after security agencies identified gaps in coverage exploited by criminals.
These investments aim to limit the advantage bandits gain from operating outside network reach.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government is upgrading Nigeria’s existing communication satellites to strengthen surveillance and connectivity.
Tijani said satellite coverage would serve as a backup where terrestrial towers fail.
The minister emphasised that addressing technologically driven crime requires coordinated investment across digital infrastructure, security intelligence, and innovation, rather than reliance on SIM registration alone.
Watch the video below…
“Band!ts use a special kind of technology to call v!ctim’s family” — Nigeria’s minister of comm. Innovation & digital economy, Bosun Tijani explains why it’s difficult to track band!ts and other crim!nal networks. pic.twitter.com/qne0gHwGJH
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) December 13, 2025
