The Nigerian government is allegedly listening in on his phone talks, according to Senator Ali Ndume, which raises questions about surveillance and the nation’s security priorities.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Thursday, Ndume made the assertion.
In response to inquiries, the senator stated that he had received repeated warnings to exercise caution when speaking on the phone because his talks were being monitored.
Ndume said that he was being watched by the authorities when asked directly.
However, the legislator stated that he does not think the purported monitoring is a significant problem, pointing out that Nigeria is currently dealing with significant security issues.
He questioned why, despite their purported ability to keep an eye on public people, security forces don’t seem to be able to successfully track terrorists, citing instances in which criminal organizations publicly disclose their operations on social media sites like TikTok.
“You can imagine the bandits and terrorists in Nigeria have the audacity to be reporting their atrocities on Tiktok and then dispersing and sending it out to people,” he stated.
“I start to question what’s going on if telephones can be followed and if Ndume or politically exposed individuals can be tracked.
“They are equipped with tracking systems everywhere. I’ve received multiple warnings to watch what I say on the phone since it is being watched.
“I kept wondering why they couldn’t come if I could be watched.”
“What stops the security or intelligence agencies from learning about the whereabouts or activities of terrorists if you as a journalist can obtain information about me?”
Ndume asserted that the government was watching his phone and said, “Yes.”
“I don’t mind that my phone is being watched by the authorities. Although Nigeria as a whole is currently a cause for concern, the senator continued, “that’s not a big deal anyway.”“I believe that if telephone can be tracked, and where Ndume or politically exposed persons can be tracked, I begin to wonder what is going on?
“They have tracking system all over. I’ve been warned several times that look, be careful on what you say on the phone, because the phone is being monitored.
“So if I can be monitored, I kept getting confused as to why can’t they come…
“If you as a journalist can get information about me, what stops the security agencies or the intelligence agencies to get information about the whereabouts or the activities of terrorists.”
When asked if the government is monitoring his phone, Ndume insisted and answered: “Yes”.
“I don’t have problem with that (government monitoring my phone). The whole Nigeria is country of concern now, but that’s not a big deal anyway,” the Senator added.
