The Senate has directed security agencies to strengthen surveillance and enforcement efforts against bandits and terrorists who openly display their criminal activities and proceeds on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) on the increasing spate of banditry and terrorist attacks in Kogi West and other parts of the country, as lawmakers expressed concern over the worsening security situation nationwide.
During the debate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) proposed an additional prayer urging the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant security agencies to monitor, track and apprehend individuals using social media platforms to promote criminal activities.
Akpoti-Uduaghan lamented that criminal groups were no longer operating in secrecy but were increasingly using digital platforms to project influence, display illicit wealth and even organise public giveaways allegedly funded by proceeds of crime.
She said, “Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100m within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok.”
Questioning why such online activities had not resulted in arrests, the senator called on security agencies, particularly cybercrime units, to take decisive action.
“I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media. Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals,” she stated.
Reacting to the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned the development, describing it as a blatant display of lawlessness and impunity.
“The Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” Akpabio said.
