By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The National Assembly has approved funds for Nigerian intelligence agencies to monitor and intercept calls and chat messages on mobile devices.
Affected in the budgetary allocation gathered to be in excesses of over N20bn is the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The allocation will support the agencies in tackling cybercrime, counter-terrorism, cover deployments and upgrade of infrastructures for cyber intelligence, independent lawful interception of voice, data and tactical mobile geological platform.
A source confirmed that the intelligence services require the facilities to counter activities of cybercriminals, terrorists and other elements that threaten national security through modern technological tools.
“The facilities for monitoring and interceptions have always been there with the intelligence services, with advancement in technology, the budgetary approval will go a long way in monitoring calls and messages on mobile devices, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Thuraya among other social media platforms,” the source said.
