Why Nigeria’s Security Forces Struggle to Track Bandits in Remote Forests – Reno Omokri
Nigeria’s ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has explained why the country’s security forces struggle to track bandits operating in remote forest areas.
Responding to a Nigerian on X (formerly Twitter) who asked whether it is difficult to track bandits, Omokri noted that security agencies typically use a technique known as triangulation to trace individuals through their digital footprints.
He pointed out that for triangulation to work effectively, security operatives usually require access to cell phone towers, routers, or other infrastructure used to track IP addresses, phone numbers, or social media activity.
“Alternatively, after securing a warrant from a judge, they can request such data from your mobile phone and internet provider, who will then use triangulation or cell-site simulators to track you down and pass your location to the appropriate authorities.
“Triangulation and other means of narrowing down your location work almost like science in urban and even rural areas. So, it is not difficult to trace people who live in cities, towns, and villages, once you have their digital footprints,” he said.
However, Omokri said that in environments such as deserts, forests, and oceans — where people do not typically reside and therefore leave little or no digital trace — it becomes significantly more difficult to track individuals using modern surveillance methods that depend on telecommunications infrastructure.
He emphasised that the challenge becomes even greater when targets are constantly moving, citing Oyo State as an example. He noted that Oyo is roughly the same size as the five Southeastern States combined and contains several dense forest areas.
According to him, Opara Forest in Oyo State, where some cross-border bandits are believed to operate, is about half the size of Anambra State. He also claimed that there are no cell phone towers or network infrastructure within Opara Forest.
“The entire Lagos State is only slightly bigger. Opara Forest is half the size of the whole of Anambra State. There are no cell phone towers or routers in Opara Forest,” he said, stressing that this severely limits the ability to track criminals digitally.
Omokri also mentioned that in areas around Ogbomoso — particularly the villages of Ahoro-Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa — telecommunications coverage is extremely limited or nonexistent.
He attributed this to the lack of infrastructure from major telecom providers such as MTN and others, adding that this was also why it reportedly took time for school authorities to alert the Oyo State Government during the recent abduction incident due to poor network coverage.
He further argued that such challenges are not unique to Nigeria, stating that there are many small towns in the United States with little or no network coverage. He maintained that millions of people globally still live without reliable internet access.
While acknowledging that drones can be useful for reconnaissance in difficult terrain, he asserted that they also face limitations in dense forests because they can only operate above the canopy, making ground visibility difficult or impossible.
Omokri equally stated that when bandits hold victims hostage in heavily forested areas, security operations become even more complex because the attackers may use hostages as human shields.
He urged Nigerians to avoid what he described as unfair comparisons and encouraged them to support security agencies as they continue to operate under extremely difficult conditions.
