Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has disclosed that Nigeria's security agencies are struggling to keep up with the technological savvy of bandits and criminals. In a recent interview with Nigeriainfofm, Bwala painted a grim picture of the situation, attributing it to the criminals' clever use of foreign internet services.

Bwala emphasized that while local social media platforms are easy targets for monitoring, the game drastically changes when criminals exploit services beyond Nigeria's reach. “There is a regulatory body in Nigeria that has the database of Nigerians and their phone numbers,” he stated, but this is all for naught against foreign services like Starlink. “If you are using Starlink, we cannot trace it because Starlink is not registered in Nigeria; it is in space!” This is not just a minor inconvenience; it's a major national security crisis!

The northwest and northeast regions of Nigeria are grappling with an alarming spike in violence, kidnappings, and a general sense of lawlessness that has citizens looking over their shoulders. The frequency of assaults on innocent villages and brazen highway raids is creating an atmosphere of fear that seems to be growing by the day.

But the situation is even more dire! Reports indicate that these criminal masterminds are harnessing social media platforms like TikTok to further their nefarious activities. Yes, you read that right! Jihadists in the northeast are reportedly using TikTok to spread propaganda, showcasing their weaponry and flaunting their cash in videos that can be accessed by millions.

These criminals are not shy about flaunting their exploits. Recent evidence shows that kidnappers are boldly posting videos of ransom payments and stolen goods on TikTok, making a mockery of law enforcement efforts. 

Bwala’s comments reflect a chilling trend where technology is both a weapon for criminals and a stumbling block for those charged with protecting the public. The message is clear: if we want to combat this escalating wave of crime, Nigeria's security agencies must rethink their strategies and adapt to these evolving threats.