Nigerian Senate orders crackdown on bandits posting cash giveaways on TikTok

The Senate of Nigeria directed security and intelligence agencies to intensify surveillance, tracking and arrest of bandits and terrorists who openly display criminal activities and financial proceeds on social‑media platforms, particularly TikTok. The resolution followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi and was supported by Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan, who called on the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to monitor and apprehend individuals using online channels. Akpoti‑Uduaghan warned that armed groups have been conducting public “giveaways,” citing a recent incident where more than ₦100 million was distributed in 30 minutes via TikTok.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the public flaunting of cash as a direct challenge to state authority, urging the Department of State Services and other security bodies to treat the matter as a major national‑security priority and to keep the public informed of arrests and prosecutions. In a related statement, Akpabio alleged that political opponents of President Bola Tinubu are sponsoring insecurity by recruiting youths to cause unrest, linking the bandit attacks to broader political tensions.

The Senate’s call reflects growing legislative concern over the intersection of insecurity and digital exposure, seeking coordinated action from the cybercrime unit, police and intelligence services to curb the online amplification of criminal activities.