The Senate has called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations against bandits and terrorist groups who openly display cash, weapons, and criminal activities on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, who raised concern over rising attacks by armed groups in Kogi West and other parts of the country, amid worsening insecurity across multiple regions.
During the plenary, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District introduced an additional prayer urging coordinated action by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant security agencies to monitor, track, and arrest individuals using social media to promote or publicise criminal operations.
She expressed concern that armed groups were no longer operating in secrecy, but were increasingly using digital platforms to showcase influence, display illicit wealth, and in some cases carry out online “giveaways” allegedly funded through criminal proceeds.
“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,” she said.
She questioned why such visible online activity had not resulted in arrests by relevant security agencies tasked with combating cyber related 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 added.
The proposal received support from Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District and other lawmakers across party lines, reflecting growing concern within the legislature over the use of social media by criminal networks.
Reacting to the development, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the conduct of the suspects as a direct challenge to state authority and a 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,” he said.
Akpabio warned that the circulation of videos showing cash displays and criminal activity online was an attempt to undermine government institutions and weaken public confidence in the security system.
“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 security and intelligence agencies to treat the matter as a national security priority and improve coordination in responding to digital 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 also stressed the importance of accountability, insisting that the public should be informed when arrests are made and prosecutions begin.
