Senate Seeks Arrest Of Bandits Flaunting Cash On TikTok

The Senate has directed security and intelligence agencies to step up efforts to identify, track and apprehend bandits and terrorist elements who openly display proceeds of crime and promote their activities on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.

The directive emerged during Thursday’s plenary following deliberations on a motion moved by Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, on the escalating security challenges posed by banditry and terrorist attacks in parts of Kogi State and other regions of the country.

As lawmakers debated the motion, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central raised fresh concerns over the growing use of social media by criminal groups to publicise their operations, showcase wealth allegedly acquired through criminal activities and attract public attention through online cash giveaways.

According to her, some of the groups have become increasingly audacious, operating in the open and leaving extensive digital trails that should make it easier for security agencies to locate and arrest them.

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

Akpoti-Uduaghan questioned the inability of relevant security agencies to act decisively despite the public nature of the activities, urging the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to deploy its technological capabilities to identify those behind the accounts.

“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 said.

Her proposal received the backing of Senator Osita Ngwu, who represents Enugu West, and was subsequently adopted by the Senate as part of its resolutions on the security situation.

Contributing to the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned the public display of cash and criminal exploits by suspected bandits, describing the trend as a dangerous challenge to the authority of the state and evidence of growing impunity among criminal groups.

“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 the circulation of videos showing suspected criminals displaying large sums of money and celebrating unlawful activities was not only provocative but also capable of eroding public trust in the nation's 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 stated.

Akpabio further called on security chiefs and intelligence agencies to regard the development as a serious national security threat requiring immediate attention and stronger inter-agency collaboration.

“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 in the handling of such cases, insisting that Nigerians should be kept informed whenever suspects are arrested and prosecuted.

“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 added.

The Senate's resolution reflects increasing concern among lawmakers over the growing convergence of insecurity and digital technology, with legislators urging authorities to harness cyber intelligence tools to disrupt criminal networks operating both online and offline.