By Muhammad Mamman
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has issued a stark warning over Nigeria’s deepening security crisis, revealing that armed groups across the country have shifted from traditional mobile networks to satellite-based communications to evade detection.
NASRDA’s Director General, Dr Matthew Adepoju, raised the alarm on Friday during an interview on Channels Television, saying the development marks a dangerous escalation in the technological sophistication of terror networks operating in Nigeria.
Adepoju explained that the migration to satellite systems poses a significant challenge to security agencies who have relied heavily on the monitoring of conventional telecommunications for intelligence gathering. According to him, the shift undermines existing surveillance mechanisms and could further complicate efforts to track and disrupt militant operations.
Although Dr Adepoju did not name the groups involved, he emphasised that the trend demands urgent inter-agency collaboration, stronger regulation of satellite technologies, and greater investment in counter-surveillance capabilities.
Nigeria has battled a complex security landscape for over a decade, facing threats from Boko Haram, armed bandits, and other non-state actors whose operations have expanded across several regions. The latest revelation from the nation’s space agency underscores mounting concerns that these groups are rapidly adapting to new technologies to stay ahead of the state’s security apparatus.
Adepoju called for swift action, warning that failure to respond effectively could deepen Nigeria’s security vulnerabilities and further embolden extremist groups.
