The Senate has called on security agencies to identify, monitor and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly showcase their criminal activities and proceeds of crime on social media platforms, especially TikTok.
The resolution followed the adoption of an additional prayer raised by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, during debate on a motion sponsored by Sunday Karimi, senator representing Kogi West, which focused on rising bandit attacks in Kogi West and other parts of the country.
Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and other relevant security agencies to intensify digital surveillance and act on criminals using online platforms to publicise their operations.
She warned that armed groups had become increasingly bold, using social media not only to display their activities but also to distribute money publicly.
“Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over N100 million within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” she said.
She questioned why security agencies had not been more effective in leveraging digital footprints left by such individuals to track and apprehend them.
“I wonder why the cybercrime unit and the police force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media,” she said.
“Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals.”
The prayer was seconded by Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu West.
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Senate President Godswill Akpabio supported the proposal, describing the public display of criminal activity online as a direct challenge to state authority.
“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.
He added that the circulation of cash and evidence of criminal activity on social media was a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in government and security institutions.
“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 said.
Akpabio urged security and intelligence agencies to treat the issue as a serious national security concern and ensure proper accountability in handling such cases.
“I want the security agencies and heads of security services to see this as a major challenge,” he said.
“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 further stressed that Nigerians should be informed when arrests are made and prosecutions follow.
“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,” he said.
The Senate adopted the prayer as part of its resolutions on the motion.
