Senate Orders Crackdown on Bandits Flaunting Cash, Criminal Acts on TikTok

Akpabio.

ABUJA, June 14, 2026 – The Senate on Thursday directed security and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to identify, track and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly display their activities and proceeds of crime on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.

The resolution followed growing concerns over the brazenness of criminal networks using digital platforms to project influence, flaunt ill-got wealth and carry out public giveaways believed to be funded through criminal activity.

The directive came during plenary after Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, moved a motion on the rising wave of bandit attacks and terrorist incursions in Kogi West and other parts of the country.

During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, introduced an additional prayer calling for coordinated action by the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant security agencies to track, monitor and arrest individuals who use social media platforms to publicise criminal operations.

Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed alarm that armed groups were no longer operating covertly but were instead leveraging digital platforms. “Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles,” she told the chamber.

₦100m TikTok Giveaway Cited

The senator cited a recent incident to back her prayer. “Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100m within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.

She questioned why such overt digital footprints had not translated into arrests by relevant security agencies, particularly units mandated to track cyber-enabled crimes.

“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.

Overwhelming Senate Support

The prayer was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District and received overwhelming support from lawmakers.

Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the development as a troubling display of impunity and challenged security agencies to take decisive action.

Akpabio specifically called on the Department of State Services and other intelligence agencies to track and ensure the swift arrest of criminals using social media to showcase their activities. The Senate President said the open display of criminal wealth online was emboldening bandits and undermining public confidence in law enforcement.

Call for Urgent Surveillance

The Senate called on security agencies to urgently intensify surveillance and enforcement actions against bandits and terrorists who openly showcase their criminal activities and financial proceeds on social media platforms.

Lawmakers said the resolution became necessary as the country continues to confront widening security crises across multiple regions, with Kogi West cited as one of the areas facing increased bandit attacks.

The Senate noted that criminal groups are now using TikTok and other platforms not just to recruit but to distribute money and taunt authorities. The ease with which these groups broadcast their operations has raised questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s cybercrime tracking capabilities.

Security Agencies Tasked

The resolution specifically tasks the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to lead the effort to monitor, track and apprehend individuals publicising criminal activities online.

The Senate stressed that bandits and terrorists who maintain active digital presences while allegedly engaging in criminal activities should be treated as priority targets.

Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that if ordinary Nigerians can see these videos and live giveaways, then units with advanced tracking tools should be able to locate and arrest the perpetrators. The senator argued that failure to act sends the wrong signal about the state’s capacity to respond to digitally-enabled crime.

The Senate adjourned after adopting the motion, with Akpabio urging security chiefs to brief the chamber on actions taken at the next legislative sitting.