By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to shut down the use of mobile communication networks for criminal activities such as kidnapping, fraud, and banditry by reinforcing its digital and telecommunications infrastructure.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, disclosed that the Federal Government has adopted a more advanced, infrastructure-driven strategy that goes beyond routine regulation to directly confront the technical vulnerabilities exploited by criminal networks.
According to Tijani, while the nationwide SIM registration exercise significantly reduced the number of unregistered phone lines, criminal groups have since adjusted their methods. He explained that criminals now deploy sophisticated technologies that route calls through multiple telecom towers, effectively concealing their locations and bypassing conventional tracking systems—particularly in areas with limited network coverage.
To counter this evolving threat, the government is rolling out a multi-layered solution focused on strengthening connectivity nationwide. Key measures include the expansion of fibre-optic infrastructure to enhance reliable ground-based communications and the upgrade of Nigeria’s communications satellites to close coverage gaps in hard-to-reach regions.
Tijani noted that Nigeria’s status as the only satellite operator in West Africa places it in a strategic position to extend secure communication coverage to areas where terrestrial telecom infrastructure remains weak or non-existent.
In addition, the government plans to enhance targeted telecom surveillance capabilities to disrupt complex criminal communication networks without undermining legitimate users.
The shift toward infrastructure-led security, the minister said, is aimed at stripping criminals of the anonymity provided by fragile networks, linking national security directly to digital resilience. Authorities believe the approach will not only weaken criminal operations but also help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications system.
