By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s current satellite capability is far too weak to track terrorists or support the country’s counterinsurgency operations, Senator Ali Ndume has warned, saying the nation is effectively “fighting blind” against increasingly sophisticated armed groups.
Ndume, who chairs the Senate Committee on the Army, criticised the state of Nigeria’s defence technology, stressing that the country cannot win a modern war with outdated tools.
“I am very interested in technology because this is warfare that the nation is facing,” he said. “It is not something we can confront with our bare hands and just shooting guns. Our satellite capacity cannot even track terrorists.”
According to the senator, insurgents and organised criminal networks now deploy advanced communication methods, making it impossible for security forces to respond effectively without robust surveillance, tracking and intelligence systems.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise high-grade defence technology — including functional satellites, drones, and real-time intelligence equipment — if Nigeria is to make any meaningful progress in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
Ndume added that beyond troop deployment and firepower, “the real battlefield is now technological”, and Nigeria must urgently upgrade its capabilities to match the evolving threats.
The senator called for immediate investment in modern defence infrastructure, warning that failure to do so will prolong the country’s security crisis.
