26/03/21
DANIELS G.O
PRESS RELEASE
The deployment of the 5th Generation 5G Network can become a security threat to National Security if left in the wrong Hands according to emerging warning from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) .
The Director of Communications Office of the National Security Adviser, Bala Fakandu gave the warning during an investigative public hearing on the present status of 5th Generation (5G) network in Nigeria & its technological impact on Nigerians by the Senate Joint Committee on Communications, Science and Technology, ICT on Thursday In Abuja
He said (5G) Network will require telecommunications operators in Nigeria to upgrade their equipment to the new technology adaptable (5G) network which if not properly deployed could serve as tools for eavesdropping, cyber attacks and even espionage by external forces.
He said the Office of the NSA shared its fears with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) during its initial trial of the technology in the country and expects that the concerns will be properly addressed in the draft national policy when it is ready.
“We are aware that the deployment of 5G will come with different equipment. We are concerned about eavedropping I, cyber attacks, espionage by external forces. But they are things that needs to be put in the National policy for operators”.
This was as the Director of Communications (NSA) confirmed that no operator has been issued licence to deploy (5G) network.
The Office of the National Security Adviser however said it was on the same page with the Minister of Communications, Isa Ali Pantami who had earlier told the federal lawmakers that Nigeria was ready to deploy (5G) Network technology; after completing its first trial last September.
Pantami said all that was left is to complete the draft national policy required to drive the process of deployment in Nigeria.
He said once the draft national policy is ready the NCC being the regulator is expected to come up with its own guidelines for operators.
The Minister said the Federal Government did not just arrived here without proper and extensive consultations with critical stakeholders including all security agencies; pointing out that the Federal Government will never jeopardize the security and health of citizens.
On whether it has negative impact on the lives and health of citizen; Pantami said all available research including that of World Health Organization (WHO) and International Telecommunications Union(ITU) have shown there are no
adverse health effects.
He said there is no scientific proof linking Covid-19 to the deploy of (5G) technology or indeed any other disease; stressing that the radiation in the current (4G) is more harmful compared to (5G).
According to him, the radiation in the kitchen microwave is more hazardous than the (5G) which he said is an advancement of the (4G).
The Minister appealed to Nigerians to disregard the myths surrounding (5G) and embrace the technology with open hands.
He said when the myth was flying around in Nigeria last April that Covid-19 was caused by radiation from (5G); Lesotho had already deployed the technology and had no case of Covid-19.
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