The Federal Government (FG) has revealed that Nigerian security agencies are actively working with major social media platforms to identify and remove accounts used by terrorist and criminal groups.
Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), said platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X have been exploited by terrorists to showcase operations, display stolen goods, and communicate with supporters.
“We’ve taken down numerous accounts. At one point, bandits were even livestreaming their activities on TikTok. But we’ve managed to stop that,” Laka said. He added that evolving tactics, such as using aliases and unverified accounts, remain a challenge, but security agencies continuously adapt.
Ransom payments continue to be a significant source of terror financing, with criminals exploiting point-of-sale (POS) operators to move funds, making tracking more difficult. Laka confirmed that arrests and prosecutions have been carried out, and asset seizures contribute to Nigeria’s compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.
He noted that Nigeria’s recent improvements in meeting Financial Action Task Force requirements are due to coordinated efforts by security agencies, financial intelligence units, and the judiciary.
While acknowledging the security risks posed by unstable neighboring Sahel countries, Laka assured Nigerians that the government will strengthen both physical and digital counter-terrorism measures. “As long as those countries face challenges, Nigeria will also be affected. But we are doing our best and will not relent. In 2026, we aim to step up our efforts,” he said.
Social media has increasingly become a platform for criminal propaganda, prompting repeated calls for these accounts to be removed.
