The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigerian security agencies are collaborating with major social media companies to identify and take down accounts used by terrorist and criminal groups to promote their activities and raise funds.
This was made known at an end-of-year briefing in Abuja on Tuesday by the Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, who said terrorists have increasingly relied on digital platforms to publicise operations, display looted items, and communicate with supporters.
According to him, security agencies have held several engagements with operators of social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X to address content and accounts that pose threats 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.
Laka noted that terrorist tactics continue to evolve, with groups now using aliases and unverified accounts, adding that security agencies are constantly adjusting their strategies to counter emerging digital threats.
He also said ransom payments remain a major source of terror financing, revealing that point-of-sale (POS) operators are increasingly being exploited to move funds for kidnappers and terrorist groups.
“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 said.
The NCTC boss explained that security agencies have intensified efforts to track ransom payments, arrest those involved, and disrupt terror financing networks, although he stressed that operational details could not be disclosed for security reasons.
He revealed that several arrests and prosecutions had been carried out in connection with terrorism financing, adding that asset recoveries and seizures were part of Nigeria’s compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards, including the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force.
“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.”
Leave a Comment