FG Reveals How Bandits Exploit Network Gaps, Route Calls Through Multiple Towers

Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has presented the Federal Government’s advanced plan to address weaknesses in the telecommunications sector in order to fight kidnapping and insecurity nationwide.

Tijani addressed the public’s worry over ransom negotiations and suspected crimes carried out via unregistered SIMs during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday. He said that the issue is “far more technical” than is commonly believed.

The Minister disclosed that although the required National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage was a first step, criminal networks have already moved away from basic unregistered lines and embraced other strategies.

He clarified that in order to avoid regular towers, thieves increasingly use technology that allow them to route calls across many towers. This strategy works best in isolated and poorly connected areas.

“They bounced calls off many towers instead of using the standard towers. They like living in remote regions because of this, Tijani said.

He pointed out that President Tinubu advocated for investment in towers in those dangerous locations since the current administration recognized this shortcoming.

The Minister launched a multifaceted connection strategy to improve security surveillance and eliminate these network blackspots.

According to him, Nigeria is still the “only West African country” with its own communications satellites, a capability that the government is currently bolstering.

He explained, “This is the reason we are upgrading our two satellites, so that our satellites will work if our towers are not working.”

He claims that the government is making significant investments in the expansion of fiber optic cables.

Tijjani revealed that a joint initiative with Huawei to install 4,000 new cellular towers in underprivileged rural areas was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.

He affirmed that the project, which is scheduled to begin next year, is anticipated to “significantly improve rural connectivity, stimulate commerce, and enhance security surveillance.”

Although crucial, the Minister pointed out that the satellite deployment is still “the third leg” of the larger operation and will take longer to go online than the tower and fiber projects, which are “well in progress.”