The Senate on Thursday 11th June, 2026 called on security agencies to urgently intensify surveillance and enforcement actions against bandits and terrorists who openly showcase their criminal activities and financial proceeds on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, amid growing concerns over the brazenness of criminal networks operating online.
This is sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, on the rising wave of bandit attacks and terrorist incursions in Kogi West and other parts of the country, as lawmakers again confronted the widening security crisis across multiple regions.
During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, introduced an additional prayer calling for coordinated action by the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant security agencies to track, monitor and arrest individuals who use social media platforms to publicise criminal operations.
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed alarm that armed groups are no longer operating covertly instead, they are oleveraging digital platforms to project, influence, flaunt ill-got wealth and, in some cases, carry out public “giveaways” believed to be funded through criminal activity.
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.”
The senator questioned why such overt digital footprints had not translated into arrests by relevant security agencies, particularly units mandated to track cyber-enabled crimes.
The additional prayer was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District and received broad support across party lines, reflecting growing legislative concern over the intersection of insecurity and unchecked digital exposure by criminal elements.
Responding to the development, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio described the conduct of the suspects as a direct affront to state authority and a troubling display of impunity.
