FG Moves To Delete Social Media Accounts Of Bandits, Kidnappers

The Federal Government revealed that Nigerian security agencies are collaborating with major social media companies to identify and remove accounts used by terrorists and criminal groups for promoting violence, spreading propaganda, and fundraising.

The move was confirmed by the Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, during an end-of-year briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Laka said extremist groups had increasingly turned to popular platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X to publicise their operations, communicate with supporters and even display looted items.

He said security agencies have engaged the companies behind these platforms on several occasions to address posts and accounts that pose serious threats to national security.

“The issue of social media platforms used by terrorist groups, if you knew how many accounts we took down. We have had several meetings with these social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and 𝕏,” Laka said.

He explained that while social media companies are businesses seeking to grow their user base, government engagement has helped them better understand the security implications of certain content.

“They are businesses looking to grow their subscribers, but we engage them, explain the effects of certain posts on national security, and we take them down,” he added.

The counter-terrorism chief recalled a period when bandits openly showcased stolen items on TikTok and even conducted live broadcasts, actions he said have now been curtailed.

“There was a time when bandits would go on TikTok showing their loot. We took those accounts down, you don’t see that again. At some point, they were even doing live streams and holding conversations, but we’ve been able to handle all that,” Laka said.

Laka noted that despite the progress made, terrorist groups continue to adapt by using aliases, unverified accounts and other digital tricks, stressing that security agencies are constantly updating their strategies to stay ahead.

Ransom Payments, POS Operators Under Watch

The Director-General further revealed that ransom payments remain a major source of terror financing, with kidnappers increasingly exploiting point-of-sale operators to move funds.

He explained that in many cases, ransom money is transferred into accounts owned by POS operators, making it harder to trace the funds.

“You see a transfer made by terrorists, and when you investigate the account, it belongs to a POS operator. The kidnappers give out the POS operator’s number, the money is transferred, and they go to collect it,” he said.

Laka said security agencies have intensified efforts to track ransom payments, arrest those involved and disrupt terror financing networks, though he noted that operational details could not be disclosed for security reasons.

He revealed that several arrests and prosecutions have already been carried out in connection with ransom payments and terrorism financing, adding that asset recoveries and seizures form part of Nigeria’s compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.

According to Laka, Nigeria’s recent progress in meeting the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force was achieved through coordinated investigations involving security agencies, financial intelligence units and the judiciary.

While acknowledging the challenges posed by porous borders and instability in the Sahel region, he assured Nigerians that security agencies would continue to strengthen both physical and digital counter-terrorism measures.

“Towards the end of 2023, the security situation in Nigeria was improving. But after the coups in some Sahel countries, the situation worsened because these terrorist groups have connections across the region,” he said.

“So Nigeria has to play a leadership role in West Africa and the Sahel to address these threats. As long as those countries continue to face these challenges, Nigeria will also face them. We are doing our best, and we will not relent. In 2026, we are going to up our game.”