The Presidency has explained why security agencies face challenges in tracing the communications of terrorist groups operating within and around Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, said regulatory gaps and the use of foreign communication networks make tracking difficult.
Bwala noted that Nigerian regulatory bodies can trace users who operate within local telecommunications and internet networks. However, he explained that many terrorist cells bypass these systems by relying on services outside Nigeria’s regulatory reach, including certain satellite networks.
According to him, some insurgent groups connect through cellular and internet providers based in neighbouring countries, making it harder for authorities to determine their precise locations.
He added that platforms not registered in Nigeria, including some satellite services, remain outside the country’s monitoring capabilities, creating loopholes exploited by criminal networks.
