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By Lawrence Agbo
The Senate has directed the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to track down and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly display their activities and suspected criminal proceeds on social media platforms.
The resolution followed concerns raised by lawmakers over the growing trend of criminal groups using TikTok and other digital platforms to publicise their operations, flaunt wealth and engage with followers without fear of arrest.
The issue came to the fore during debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) on the escalating insecurity in Kogi West and other parts of the country.
Contributing to the discussion, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) urged the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to deploy its resources to monitor and apprehend individuals linked to such online activities.
She claimed that some bandit groups now operate openly on social media, revealing their identities and displaying large amounts of money allegedly obtained through criminal activities.
“Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100 million within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
According to the senator, suspected bandits recently carried out an online giveaway worth more than ₦100 million through TikTok, a development she described as alarming.
“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 added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan questioned why security agencies had been unable to trace and arrest those responsible despite their visible online presence.
Her proposal received support from lawmakers, who stressed the need for stronger digital surveillance and intelligence gathering to combat emerging security threats.
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Senate President Godswill Akpabio backed the call, describing the online conduct of the suspects as an act of defiance against the authority of the state.
He said security agencies, particularly the DSS, should be capable of locating and apprehending individuals who openly advertise criminal activities on social media.
“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.
Akpabio noted that videos showing suspected bandits displaying cash and celebrating their exploits send the wrong message to the public and could weaken confidence in government efforts to tackle insecurity.
“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he stated.
He urged intelligence and law enforcement agencies to treat the development as a serious national security concern and strengthen cooperation in responding to online intelligence.
“I want the security agencies and heads of security services to see this as a major challenge. Whenever anybody finds such content, bring it to the attention of the Senate, and we shall invite the relevant federal authorities to explain why those people have not been apprehended,” he said.
The Senate President further called for regular updates on arrests and prosecutions, arguing that Nigerians need assurance that criminals who publicly flaunt their activities online are being brought to justice.
“If they are apprehended, they should also report back so that Nigerians can know that those who openly show their faces while committing crimes are being arrested and prosecuted,” Akpabio added.
Following the debate, the Senate resolved to push for more aggressive monitoring of social media platforms and greater coordination among security agencies to curb the online activities of bandits and terrorists.
