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Nigeria’s Senate has ordered security agencies to crack down on bandits and terrorists who flaunt their criminal riches and operations on social media, warning that such brazen behaviour challenges the authority of the state.
The upper legislative chamber acted on Thursday after Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West raised the alarm over escalating attacks in his constituency and beyond.
During debate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, told lawmakers that armed groups were using digital platforms to project influence and distribute funds.
“Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over 100 million naira within 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” Akpoti-Uduaghan told fellow lawmakers.
She questioned why Nigeria’s cybercrime units had failed to act despite such glaring digital footprints.
“I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media,” she said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the trend as an unacceptable affront.
“This is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” he said, urging the Department of State Services to track down the culprits.
Akpabio warned that videos showcasing cash hauls and criminal exploits were designed to mock government institutions.
“That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s proposal for a coordinated crackdown by the police cybercrime centre and other agencies won cross-party backing.
Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West seconded the motion.
Akpabio demanded real-time responses and accountability.
“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.
He also insisted that successes must be made public.
“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,” Akpabio stated.
