I was watching His Excellency, the former governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai. He had an interview with Charles Anagolu of Arise TV. He alleged that it was the National Security Advisor, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, that sent people and ordered his abduction at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his return from his annual vacation in Cairo, Egypt. He was asked, how did he know?
He said somebody tapped Malam Nuhu Ribadu’s phone and got information that he was to be abducted.
They asked him further, and he said that just as government listens to citizens, they also listen to government officials. That phones are tapped, conversations are monitored, sometimes even without court warrants.
This is a very shocking development. El-Rufai does not fear anybody. He says things as they are. Now let me raise some questions and implications. If the phone of the National Security Advisor was hacked, how many other phones have been hacked?
From the presidency, to the Minister of Defense, to senior military officers, to intelligence chiefs. If the National Security Advisor’s communication can be accessed, then nobody is safe. Nobody. Who else has access to sensitive national security communications?
Who else knows the movement of troops?
Who else knows classified information?
Can’t you see why soldiers are ambushed? Can’t you see why terrorists attack immediately after security forces leave an area? Can’t you see why insecurity persists despite huge military spending?
Because insiders may be sabotaging efforts. There was a brigadier general, Musa Uba, who escaped an ambush and communicated for rescue, yet the terrorists got there before rescue arrived. How did they know?
These are serious questions.
I remember one day, I ordered a Bolt taxi. The driver recognised me and said, “Doctor, do you know they monitor you?” I said yes, I know.
That is the reality of the world we live in today. I have friends who say they only use WhatsApp calls because they are end-to-end encrypted. But now, I don’t even trust that completely.
If somebody accesses your phone physically, or hacks your device, or infiltrates your group, they can access your communication. We have seen leaked conversations of prophets, politicians, and public figures. How did those conversations come out?
Let me also say this: Nothing may come out of these allegations. Nothing happens in many cases. People talk. People accuse. People deny. And life moves on.
But the implication is clear: Nobody is safe. Nobody should assume privacy is guaranteed.
Be careful what you say.
Be careful what you store on your phone.
Be careful who you trust.
Nigeria is entering a very sensitive period politically. 2027 will not be like 2023.
What we are seeing now shows clearly that the centre cannot hold.
What is your opinion on this matter?
