Politics
Nigeria Lacks Capacity for Advanced Surveillance Technology to Track Terrorists — Daniel Bwala
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, has stated that Nigeria currently lacks the technological capacity required to effectively track armed groups in real time, unlike the United States.
Speaking on the growing security challenges in the country, Bwala explained that while the U.S. is able to monitor terrorist movements using advanced satellite technology, Nigeria does not possess similar capabilities.
According to him, tracking large groups of armed men often numbering between 300 and 500 and moving rapidly on motorcycles remains a major challenge for Nigerian authorities.
“Americans are seeing them because of the satellite which Nigeria does not have. I’m going to be more pragmatic Americans are seeing them through technology because Americans are not on the ground,” Bwala said.
He clarified that Nigeria’s limitation is not just about access but also about capacity.
“No, we don’t have the capacity for that technology,” he added when asked if Nigeria could acquire such systems.
Drone Limitations Highlighted
Bwala noted that Nigeria does deploy drones for intelligence gathering, but these systems are limited in functionality. He explained that while some drones can capture images and collect data, they lack strike capabilities.
“There are drones that only collect intel visual, photo, digital and stop there. There are ones that also strike. We do not have those drone systems that will identify and eliminate,” he said.
He emphasized that in modern warfare, surveillance alone is insufficient, especially when dealing with highly mobile armed groups.
Funding and Procurement Challenges
The presidential aide also pointed to financial and logistical barriers hindering Nigeria’s ability to acquire advanced military technology. According to him, such systems are expensive and not easily accessible on the global market.
“The funds that we are giving to security in terms of budget, we cannot afford it. Even if you have somebody who has it, he has to sell it to you. It’s not like a shop where you go there, you buy,” Bwala explained.
Ongoing U.S. Nigeria Collaboration
Despite these constraints, Bwala highlighted ongoing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in tackling insecurity.
“Americans and Nigeria have been collaborating very robustly. It’s not as if we are not accessing it,” he said.
Nigeria continues to face security challenges across several regions, with authorities seeking improved strategies and partnerships to combat insurgency and banditry.
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