Nigerian bandits and terrorists are increasingly utilizing social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to flaunt ransoms collected from their victims. The trend, which has raised concerns among security experts, highlights the growing audacity of these criminals and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in tackling the issue.
TikTok, a platform popular among young Nigerians, especially in Northern Nigeria, has become a preferred space for these criminals. They use the platform to share videos and images of themselves displaying weapons, cash, and other spoils of their criminal activities. The platform's wide reach and the ability to connect with a global audience have made it an effective tool for spreading terror and recruiting new members.
The Nation’s investigation revealed that these criminals, often dressed in military camouflage and wielding rifles, openly boast about their activities on TikTok. Some even engage with their followers, asking for praise for their leaders or offering "giveaways" in the form of ransom money.
One viral video featured a terrorist urging Nigerians to share their bank details in exchange for rewards for praising notorious terrorist leader Turji Kachalla during nationwide protests. Shockingly, many complied with the request, sharing their account details in the video’s comment section.
The activities of these criminals on social media have sparked outrage among Nigerians, who are frustrated by the apparent inability of security agencies to apprehend them. The Nigerian government had declared bandits as terrorists in November 2021, promising tougher sanctions. However, their online presence remains largely unchecked, with TikTok accounts linked to these criminals continuing to spread propaganda and fear.
The Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies have acknowledged the challenge of apprehending all criminals at once but insist they are making progress. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, emphasized the need for collective efforts and urged Nigerians to appreciate the arrests that have been made so far.
Meanwhile, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, has called on Nigerians to report individuals using social media to incite violence. The government has also begun enforcing the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Amendment Act, 2024, to curb the use of social media by terrorists.
Security experts have expressed concern over the ease with which terrorists are able to operate on social media platforms. Lekan Adigun, a counter-terrorism expert, urged social media companies like TikTok to adapt their counter-terrorism measures to keep pace with the evolving strategies of these criminals.
Zagazola Makama, another security analyst, criticized TikTok for allowing insurgents to use its platform to promote their activities. He highlighted the audacity of these criminals, who not only flaunt their activities but also gain followers while doing so.
As terrorists and bandits continue to exploit social media platforms to spread their messages and recruit new members, the Nigerian government and security agencies face increasing pressure to develop more effective strategies to combat this growing threat. The situation underscores the need for a coordinated response from both the government and the tech companies that host these platforms.
