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The senate has called on security agencies to track and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly flaunt their activities and proceeds of crime on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
The resolution followed the adoption of an additional prayer proposed by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, during deliberations on a motion sponsored by Sunday Karimi, senator representing Kogi west, on the incessant attacks by bandits and terrorists in Kogi west and other parts of the country.
Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and other security agencies to monitor, track and apprehend criminals who use social media platforms to publicise their activities.
The lawmaker said bandits and terrorists had become increasingly emboldened, using social media platforms to flaunt their operations and publicly distribute money.
“Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over N100 million within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan questioned why security agencies had failed to leverage the digital footprints left by such individuals to track and apprehend them.
“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.
“Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals.”
Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu west, seconded the prayer.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio backed the proposal and described the public display of criminal activities on social media as a direct challenge to state authority.
“The Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” Akpabio said.
He said the display of cash and criminal exploits online amounted to an attempt to undermine public confidence in the government and security institutions.
“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he said.
The senate president urged security agencies and intelligence chiefs to treat the matter as a major national security concern.
“I want the security agencies and heads of security services to see this as a major challenge,” he said.
“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.”
Akpabio also called for accountability from security agencies after arrests are made.
“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,” he said.
The prayer was subsequently adopted by the senate as part of its resolutions on the motion.
