The Federal Government has launched a campaign against the online activities of criminal networks, announcing on Tuesday, December 23, that it has pinpointed and removed multiple social media accounts operated by bandits and terrorists.
Major General Adamu Laka, Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), stated that sites used to flaunt stolen goods and broadcast live criminal discussions are being dismantled one after the other.
There was a time when bandits flaunted their loot on TikTok. We’ve shut those accounts down, you don’t see it anymore. They even went live… but we’ve tackled all that – Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka
This is aimed towards addressing the rising pattern of non-state actors, leveraging on social media platforms to boast about attacks, collecting ransom payments, and sometimes for recruitment. For years now, bandits leaders like Bello Turji have turned to platforms like TikTok and Facebook to terrorize vulnerable communities, display ransom money stacks and arsenals to lure new members.
Security forces are partnering closely with TikTok, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Snapchat, and X to flag and suspend unverified profiles linked to terror groups.
The security forces have been victorious in tracking ransom transactions from Point-of-Sale (POS) operators. Criminals often use POS terminals to receive ransom transfers and withdraw cash, making it more difficult to trace than traditional bank transfers. The NCTC plans to enforce key strategies in dismantling the online activities of criminal groups in 2026, under its new Strategic 2025-2030 plan, which utilizes AI-driven tools and network analysis to foresee and disrupt terror funding at the POS stage.
The public is encouraged to flag any social media accounts suspected of promoting banditry or fundraising for crimes.
