Kidnappers Bypass SIM Registration Using Advanced Technology, Says Nigeria’s Communications Minister

Communications Minister Bosun Tijani has revealed why kidnappers continue making untraceable ransom calls despite Nigeria’s mandatory SIM registration and NIN linkage, they’re using technology that completely bypasses the regular phone network.

In a candid explanation of the security challenge, Tijani made it clear that bandits aren’t operating within the system most Nigerians assume they’re using.

“There’s specialized technology they use for these calls,” he said. “They don’t rely on normal towers.

Instead, they bounce calls across multiple towers, making it nearly impossible to track them.”

This explains why ransom calls remain difficult to trace even after telecom operators completed a nationwide cleanup of unregistered SIM cards.

The minister dismissed concerns about improperly registered lines still being active, confirming that operators have already removed them.

The issue isn’t registration, it’s that criminals have moved beyond the infrastructure those registrations were meant to monitor.

Tijani pointed out that bandits deliberately choose locations with weak or nonexistent telecom infrastructure.

In these areas, they can operate using their own communication technology without relying on Nigeria’s mobile tower network.

This gives them a significant tactical advantage that standard tracking methods simply can’t overcome.

President Tinubu has approved major funding to build new telecommunications towers in remote and underserved regions.

The decision came after security agencies identified how criminals exploit coverage gaps.

The government is also upgrading Nigeria’s communication satellites to boost surveillance capabilities and provide reliable connectivity where ground infrastructure falls short.

According to Tijani, satellite coverage will fill the gaps terrestrial towers can’t reach.

“We need a comprehensive approach,” Tijani stressed. “SIM registration alone can’t solve this.

We’re dealing with criminals who adapt to technology, so our response must be equally sophisticated.”