By Kokumo Goodie, Lagos, Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari has proposed to spend N25.5 billion on hi-tech gadgets to achieve surveillance activities across Nigeria next year, according to the details of the 2018 Appropriation Bill he transmitted to parliament.
Since the country is not immuned to ongoing cyber warfare, the country will boost its security apparatus with hi-tech surveillance equipment.
To achieve this, the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) plans to purchase a social media mining suite for N2,213,456,360.
The DSS also plans to spend N1,003,750,000 next year for what it calls the WOLVERME next generation SDRIMSI. Experts say these are professional equipment that give details about global system for mobile communication (GSM) interceptors, satellite interception, Cellular Tracking and Trojans.
DSS proposes to spend N 1,006,200,000 on surveillance drones with precision camera and IMSI payload capabilities.
On its part, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) will continue with the STRANVISKY Project 2 expected to cost N4,700,000,000 and new starter point pipeline protection project that will cost N5,000,000,000.
ONSA fusion centre will cost N7,026,500,000 as well as another N4,582,500,000 for the ONSA Vantage X project. Other projects in the proposed budget are N8,072,811 prison construction and another N621,880,284 to be spent on biometrics, arms and ammunition and other security equipment for the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS).
All these proposals are however subject to the approval of the National Assembly comprising the Senate and House of Representatives.
