Senate Calls For Arrest Of Bandits Displaying Cash On TikTok

The Senate of Nigeria has called on security agencies to step up efforts to track and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly showcase their activities and proceeds of crime on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.

The resolution was adopted on Thursday following a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, who raised concerns over increasing bandit attacks and security threats in Kogi West and other parts of the country.

During the debate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan proposed an additional prayer urging the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other security agencies to intensify efforts to identify, monitor, and arrest individuals using social media platforms to promote criminal activities.

According to her, criminal groups have increasingly turned to digital platforms to flaunt wealth acquired through illegal activities and to publicise their operations.

“Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100m within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan questioned why such visible online activities had not resulted in arrests.

“I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media. Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals,” she stated.

The proposal received support from Senator Osita Ngwu, who seconded the motion, leading to broad backing from lawmakers.

Reacting to the discussion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the public display of criminal activities online as a direct challenge to the authority of the state.

“The Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” Akpabio said.

He argued that videos showing criminals displaying cash and boasting about their activities are intended to undermine public confidence in security institutions.

“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he added.

Akpabio called on intelligence and security agencies to treat the issue as a national security concern and improve coordination in responding to information gathered from digital platforms.

“I want the security agencies and heads of security services to see this as a major challenge. Whenever anybody finds such content, bring it to the attention of the Senate, and we shall invite the relevant federal authorities to explain why those people have not been apprehended,” he said.

The Senate President also stressed the need for transparency and accountability whenever arrests are made.

“If they are apprehended, they should also report back so that Nigerians can know that those who openly show their faces while committing crimes are being arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.

The resolution reflects growing concern among lawmakers about the use of social media by criminal groups to publicise their activities, recruit followers, and display proceeds from illegal operations while remaining at large.