The Senate on Thursday charged security agencies to step up surveillance and enforcement actions against bandits and terrorists who openly display their criminal activities and financial gains on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, amid growing concerns about the brazenness of criminal networks operating online.
The resolution was introduced in response to a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents the Kogi West Senatorial District, regarding the rising wave of bandit attacks and terrorist incursions in Kogi West and other parts of the country, as lawmakers confronted the widening security crisis across multiple regions.
During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the 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 publicize criminal operations.
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed concern that armed organizations were no longer working quietly, but were instead using digital platforms to project influence, flaunt ill-gotten cash, and, in some cases, carry out public “giveaways” that appeared to be supported by illegal activities.
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 resulted in arrests by appropriate security organizations, particularly divisions tasked with tracking cyber-enabled crimes.
“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.
Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District seconded the additional prayer, which received broad support across party lines.
This reflects growing legislative concern over the intersection of insecurity and unchecked digital exposure by criminal elements.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio responded, describing the suspects’ behavior as an affront to state authority and a troubling display of 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.
He warned that the widespread distribution of clips depicting cash displays and criminal activity on social media platforms was a purposeful attempt to mock government institutions and erode public trust in the country’s security infrastructure.
“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 added.
The Senate President urged intelligence and security services to handle the issue as a top national security priority, advocating for better coordination and real-time response 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.
He also stressed the need for accountability mechanisms that would ensure the public is informed once arrests are made and prosecutions commenced.
“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,” the Senate President stated.
