The Senate has directed security agencies to go after bandits and terrorists who openly display their activities and large sums of money on social media, especially TikTok.
The decision was reached during Thursday's plenary after lawmakers debated the growing insecurity in parts of the country. The motion was moved by Senator Sunday Karimi, who raised concerns over increasing attacks by bandits and terrorists in Kogi West and other regions.
During the debate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Senate to direct the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other security agencies to track and arrest criminals who use social media platforms to publicise their operations.
She told lawmakers that criminal groups have become more daring, using digital platforms to project influence, display money believed to have been obtained through illegal means and attract public attention online.
According to her, some bandits recently distributed more than ₦100 million through social media giveaways within a short period.
The senator questioned why security agencies had not acted despite the public nature of such online activities. She argued that the digital footprints left by the suspects should make it easier for authorities to locate and apprehend them.
Her proposal received support from Senator Osita Ngwu and was backed by lawmakers across party lines.
Responding to the discussion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the actions of the suspected criminals as a challenge to the authority of the state. He said intelligence agencies, including the Department of State Services, should be able to track and arrest individuals who openly display proceeds of crime and reveal their identities online.
Akpabio warned that videos showing cash displays and criminal activities on social media could weaken public confidence in the country's security system if left unchecked. He said such acts appeared to be deliberate attempts to challenge government authority.
The Senate President called on security and intelligence agencies to treat the matter as an urgent national security issue. He also encouraged Nigerians and lawmakers to report such content whenever it appears online so that relevant authorities can be compelled to act.
He added that security agencies should provide updates after arrests are made and prosecutions begin, saying the public deserves to know that criminals who openly flaunt their activities online are being brought to justice.
Following the debate, the Senate resolved that security agencies should strengthen surveillance efforts and take immediate action against individuals using social media platforms to showcase criminal operations and proceeds from crime.
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