The Federal Government has announced an intensified campaign to deactivate social media accounts utilized by terrorists and criminal gangs for coordinating attacks and soliciting funds.
The Digital Crackdown
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Major General Adamu Laka, the Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, revealed that criminal elements have been exploiting platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X to publicize their atrocities and display stolen assets.
General Laka noted that security agencies have successfully engaged these tech companies to remove content that endangers national security.
He stated:
“Criminals were even streaming live their operations at one point,” Laka said. “But through collaboration with these platforms, we have been able to stop such broadcasts and take down their accounts.”
Choking the Funding (POS and Ransom)
The DG highlighted that ransom payments remain the primary revenue stream for kidnappers, who frequently rely on Point-of-Sale (POS) operators to collect the cash. He explained that tracking these funds is often difficult because the money is routed through third parties. However, he assured the public that security teams are actively monitoring these channels to apprehend collaborators and recover assets.
He added:
“This system makes it harder for us to track their operations, but our teams are committed to disrupting these networks,”
Regional Leadership
General Laka acknowledged that terrorists are constantly adapting by creating fake profiles to evade detection. He also linked Nigeria’s internal security challenges to the instability in the neighboring Sahel region, asserting that Nigeria must take charge of the situation.
He concluded:
“Nigeria must lead in addressing these challenges in West Africa,” he said. “Even as threats evolve, we will continue to bolster our efforts and ensure the safety of our citizens.”