Ndume alleges phone surveillance, questions intelligence priorities amid insecurity

Senator Ali Ndume has alleged that his telephone conversations are being monitored by the Nigerian government, expressing concern over what he described as misplaced security priorities at a time the country is battling persistent insecurity.

The lawmaker made the allegation on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he said he had repeatedly been warned to exercise caution during phone conversations because his calls were allegedly under surveillance.

When asked whether he believed the government was tracking his communications, Ndume answered in the affirmative, saying he was aware that his phone conversations were being monitored.

He, however, noted that he was not particularly disturbed by the development, stressing that the larger concern should be the nation’s worsening security situation.

According to him, it remains puzzling that security agencies allegedly possess the capacity to monitor politically exposed persons, yet criminal groups and terrorists continue to operate freely, sometimes openly circulating videos of their activities on social media platforms such as TikTok.

“Bandits and terrorists now have the audacity to publicise their atrocities on TikTok and circulate them freely,” he said.

Ndume questioned why intelligence gathering has not translated into decisive action against insurgents and bandits, despite available surveillance systems.

“If telephone conversations can be tracked, and people like me can be monitored, then one begins to wonder why the same level of intelligence cannot be deployed to locate and stop terrorists,” he said.

The senator added that journalists often obtain sensitive information with relative ease, wondering why intelligence agencies have not consistently matched such efforts in tracking criminal elements.

Although he acknowledged the possibility of surveillance, Ndume maintained that he had no personal objection to it, insisting that national security should remain the priority.

“I do not have a problem with that. Nigeria is in a difficult security situation, so that is not the major issue,” he added.