By Adesakin Adefemi
The Senate on Thursday directed security agencies to urgently step up surveillance and enforcement against bandits and terrorists who openly display their criminal activities and proceeds on social media, especially TikTok.
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, on the rising wave of bandit attacks and terrorist incursions in Kogi West and other parts of the country.
During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central added a prayer urging the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant agencies to track, monitor, and arrest individuals using social media to publicize criminal operations.
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed concern that armed groups were no longer hiding but were using digital platforms to project influence, flaunt illicit wealth, and carry out “giveaways” suspected to be funded by crime. She cited a case where bandits distributed over ₦100 million in 30 minutes via TikTok.
She questioned why the overt digital footprints had not led to arrests, saying cybercrime units should be able to track and apprehend offenders who post such content openly.
Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West seconded the additional prayer, which received broad support across party lines, reflecting lawmakers’ worry over the intersection of insecurity and unchecked online exposure by criminal elements.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the suspects’ conduct as a direct affront to state authority and a troubling display of impunity. He said the Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them.
Akpabio warned that circulating videos of cash displays and crimes on social media was a deliberate attempt to ridicule government institutions and undermine public confidence in the security architecture.
He urged intelligence and security agencies to treat the issue as an urgent national security priority, improve coordination, and respond in real time to online intelligence. He also called for public updates once arrests and prosecutions begin, so Nigerians can see that those flaunting crimes online are being brought to justice.
