Reports reaching us states that all the official cars and offices that would be given to Presidential Aides and new Ministers have been bugged with high-tech listening devices.
Our source informed us that President Muhammadu Buhari in pursuance of his anti-corruption mantra ordered that all Official cars given to the newly sworn in ministers should have a ‘black box’ device fitted to track drivers’ movements and also to listen to conversations. This same directive was given in the case of Presidential Aides.
Despite serious concerns about privacy and cost, The Presidency ordered that the Mercedez Benz for all Presidential Aides and the Toyota SUV’s that would be allocated to the Ministers should be fitted with these device.
The sophisticated device uses mobile phone technology and is capable of reporting the occupants’ movements at all times. It also has a powerful inbuilt microphone enabling it to pick up conversations.
The “black box” is even capable of immobilizing the car if instructed to by mobile phone.
This is not the first time a Government will bug official cars given to ministers. It will be recalled that the British Government had also bugged the car of John Prescott .
A website ( breakingtimes) revealed that President Buhari got this novel idea from his numerous visits to 10 Downing Street in seeking ways to catch erring ministers in the act.
President Muhammadu Buhari who is well known for his dictatorial tendencies, seeks to control every minister and aide of his, to know their movements and also listen in to all their conversations, if possible.
Our source also told us that President Buhari secretly admires how Kim Jong-il’s North Korea keeps a close tab on its ministers and government appointees and seeks to replicate same here in Nigeria.
