Senate Urges Security Agencies to Arrest Bandits Flaunting Cash on TikTok

The Senate on Thursday called on security agencies to move against bandits and terrorists using social media platforms, especially TikTok, to display criminal activities and suspected ransom proceeds.

The Senate has urged security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement against criminal groups that openly showcase their operations and suspected illicit proceeds on social media. The resolution followed concerns over the growing brazenness of bandits and terrorists online.

The decision was reached after a motion 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.

During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central introduced an additional prayer urging the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant agencies to track, monitor and arrest persons using social media to publicise criminal operations.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said armed groups were no longer hiding their activities, but were now using digital platforms to project influence, display cash and, in some instances, carry out giveaways believed to be funded through criminal activity. She alleged that bandits recently distributed more than ₦100 million** within about 30 minutes through their social media handles, particularly on TikTok.

She questioned why such visible online activity had not led to arrests, and called on the police cybercrime unit to take immediate action against those behind the broadcasts. Her prayer was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West and received broad support from lawmakers.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the online displays as a direct challenge to state authority and a disturbing sign of impunity. He said the Department of State Services and other security agencies should be able to track the suspects and bring them to justice.

Akpabio also warned that videos showing criminals displaying cash and publicising their activities were aimed at mocking government institutions and weakening public confidence in the country’s security system. He called on security and intelligence agencies to treat the matter as an urgent national priority and ensure that arrests and prosecutions are made public.