Senator Ali Ndume has expressed concern over Nigeria’s poor satellite capacity, saying the country does not have the technological strength required to track terrorists or provide real-time security intelligence.
Ndume, who represents Borno South, spoke during an interview on Christmas TV. He explained that out of the five satellites owned by Nigeria, only two are active and they cannot support the level of surveillance the security situation demands.
He questioned why the country has been unable to trace a missing military General if the current satellites were capable.
According to him, “if the country’s satellites were capable, why are we not able to trace the General that is missing in action? It is because they don’t have an adequate tracking system.”
The lawmaker said he has keen interest in technology because the nation is engaged in what he described as a form of warfare that cannot be won with guns alone.
He noted that “this is war fair that the nation is facing, it is not something that we can face with just our bare hands and just shooting guns, we need technology and intelligence.”
Ndume added that Nigerians must admit the country’s technological shortcomings so the right steps can be taken.
He described it as shameful that “this ragtag people that are less than 4000 or 5000, terrorising a population of 200 million.”
He acknowledged that the government has shown more responsiveness in recent times and commended some of the decisions taken by Tinubu. However, he said more work must be done.
According to him, the real problems revolve around “training, equipment, ammunition and motivation”, stressing that once those areas are fully addressed, the solution will be clearer.
Speaking on the need for improved satellite strength, Ndume explained that the current system cannot provide real-time coverage.
He said, “this satellite operation is orbiting. If you want to have real time, then you need to have more satellites in the out space there, so that you can have your information as the satellite orbits the Earth, coming back to Nigeria’s station and like that. We don’t have that capacity.”
He recalled that during the Chibok girls saga, the United States was able to provide intelligence because their satellite system had full coverage. “If they zoom on that, you get the real picture, but in Nigerians case, it’s not there,” he said.
He explained that the country relies mostly on aerial images provided by the Nigerian Air Force through UAVs and a few attack helicopters, but these cannot function effectively without a strong satellite backbone.
Ndume called on the Federal Government to work with developed nations to expand Nigeria’s satellite coverage and improve intelligence gathering.
He also applauded Tinubu for directing the withdrawal of police personnel from VIPs, saying the move will free up more officers for national security duties.
He warned, however, that numbers alone are not enough and that security personnel must be well equipped and properly motivated.
According to him, having large numbers of officers without adequate tools and welfare will not deliver the desired results.
