The Nigerian Government has revealed that Nigerian Security Agencies, in collaboration with leading social media platforms, are intensifying efforts to identify and suspend accounts exploited by terrorists and criminal gangs for propaganda and soliciting funds.
The Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka disclosed this during the end-of-year meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, stating that terrorists have been using social media platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat to promote their activities, showcase stolen items, and stay in touch with their supporters.
He further explained that security agencies have conducted multiple engagements with social media firms to tackle posts and accounts considered inimical to national security.
“The issue of social media platforms used by terrorist groups—if you knew how many accounts we took down. We have had several meetings with these social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and X.
“They are businesses looking to grow their subscribers, but we engage them, explain the effects of certain posts on national security, and we take them down.
“There was a time when bandits would go on TikTok showing their loot. We took those accounts down—you don’t see that again. At some point, they were even doing live streams and holding conversations, but we’ve been able to handle all that,” he said.
He observed that terrorist methods are constantly changing, with groups increasingly using aliases and unverified accounts, emphasizing that security agencies are continually adjusting their strategies to respond to these evolving threats.
Laka also revealed that ransom money is often paid into the accounts of Point of Sales (POS) operators, who subsequently hand over the cash to kidnappers, a process that complicates efforts to trace the funds.
“You see a transfer made by terrorists, and when you investigate the account, it belongs to a POS operator. The kidnappers give out the POS operator’s number, the money is transferred, and they go to collect it,” he stated.
The DG stated that security agencies have doubled efforts to monitor ransom payments, apprehend the culprits, and dismantle terrorist financing links, while noting that specific operational details cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
Laka disclosed that some arrests and prosecutions have been made from ransom payments and terrorism financing, noting that recovery and seizure of assets are part of Nigeria’s commitment to meeting international anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements.
He further stated that Nigeria’s progress in fulfilling the Financial Action Task Force requirements is attributed to the combined investigative efforts of a joint committee comprising security agencies, financial intelligence bodies, and the judiciary.
Although he emphasized the difficulties encountered when terrorists change strategies and the porous borders in the Sahel region, he gave Nigerians assurance that Security agencies would continue to boost both physical and digital counter-terrorism measures.
“Towards the end of 2023, the security situation in Nigeria was improving. But after the coups in some Sahel countries, the situation worsened because these terrorist groups have connections across the region.
“So Nigeria has to play a leadership role in West Africa and the Sahel to address these threats. As long as those countries continue to face these challenges, Nigeria will also face them. We are doing our best, and we will not relent. In 2026, we are going to up our game,” he concluded.