FG Reveals How Bandits Outsmart Security By Hijacking Phone Networks In Remote Areas

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has explained the Federal Government’s advanced approach to tackling insecurity and kidnapping by closing gaps within Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday, Tijani acknowledged widespread concerns over criminals using unregistered SIM cards for ransom negotiations, noting that the challenge is “much more technical” than many people realise.

He said that although the mandatory linkage of SIM cards to the National Identification Number (NIN) was an important first step, criminal groups have since evolved their methods, abandoning simple unregistered lines.

According to the minister, these groups now exploit technology that enables them to evade standard cell towers by routing calls through multiple towers—an approach that works best in remote areas with weak or no network coverage.

“They are no longer using normal towers; they bounce calls across several towers. That’s why they prefer operating from unconnected areas,” Tijani explained.

He added that the Tinubu administration identified this loophole early, prompting renewed investment in telecom infrastructure within high-risk and underserved locations.

To address network blind spots and strengthen security monitoring, Tijani outlined a multi-layered connectivity plan. He disclosed that Nigeria is the only country in West Africa operating its own communications satellites and that the government is now upgrading this capacity.

“This is why we are enhancing our two satellites, so that where towers fail, satellite connectivity can take over,” he said.

The minister also revealed that the government is expanding fibre-optic networks nationwide and confirmed that the Federal Executive Council has approved a partnership with Huawei to roll out 4,000 new telecom towers in rural and underserved communities.

The project, scheduled to begin next year, is expected to greatly boost connectivity, drive economic activity, and improve security surveillance in remote areas.

However, Tijani noted that satellite deployment remains the third phase of the strategy and will take longer to fully operationalise compared to the tower and fibre initiatives, which are already well underway.