Ex-Army spokesman urges govt to use tech against terrorism, banditry nationwide

Ex-Army spokesman Sani Usman urged the Nigerian government to adopt technology-based solutions to combat terrorism and banditry nationwide, speaking on Channels Television's 'Sunday Politics' program on July 20, 2026. Usman, former Director of Army Public Relations, argued that technology can track criminals who show early criminal tendencies, making it harder for them to hide indefinitely.

This matters to Nigerians because terrorism and banditry continue to threaten lives and livelihoods across northern and central Nigeria, displacing communities and disrupting economies. Usman's point that 'the system will eventually catch up' with criminals suggests surveillance and tracking technologies could provide long-term security solutions where military operations alone have fallen short.

The former spokesman noted that even criminals with criminal tendencies face limits to how long they can evade detection with proper technological monitoring. While he didn't specify exact technologies, his remarks suggest investment in surveillance systems, data analytics, or tracking technologies could help authorities identify and apprehend perpetrators earlier. For ordinary citizens, this raises questions about balancing security needs with privacy safeguards as technology advances.

Would you support increased government investment in surveillance technology to combat terrorism if it came with strong privacy safeguards and independent oversight mechanisms?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/07/20/how-to-end-terrorism-banditry-in-nigeria-ex-army-spokesman/