- Nigeria Works with TikTok, Facebook, X to Disrupt Terrorist Activities
- Laka noted that at some point, criminal elements openly used TikTok to showcase loot
- Laka assured Nigerians that both physical and digital counter terrorism efforts would be strengthened
The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigerian security agencies are working closely with major social media companies to identify and remove accounts being used by terrorist and criminal groups to promote their activities and raise funds, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Speaking at an end of year briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, said platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X had been exploited by terrorists to publicise attacks, display looted items and communicate with supporters.
According to Laka, security agencies have held several engagements with the social media companies to address content and accounts that pose threats to national security. He said many such accounts had already been taken down following these engagements.
Laka noted that at some point, criminal elements openly used TikTok to showcase loot and even conducted live streams, but sustained collaboration with platform operators has curtailed such activities. He added that terrorist groups now employ aliases and unverified accounts, requiring constant adaptation by security agencies.
The counter terrorism chief also identified ransom payments as a major source of terror financing, explaining that point of sale operators are increasingly used to facilitate fund transfers to kidnappers. He said investigations often reveal that ransom payments are routed through POS operator accounts before being withdrawn in cash.
Laka said security agencies have intensified efforts to track ransom payments, arrest those involved and disrupt terror financing networks, while noting that operational details could not be disclosed for security reasons. He revealed that several arrests, prosecutions and asset recoveries had been made in line with Nigeria’s anti money laundering and counter terrorism financing obligations.
He added that Nigeria’s recent progress in meeting Financial Action Task Force requirements was driven by coordinated investigations involving security agencies, financial intelligence units and the judiciary.
While acknowledging challenges posed by evolving terror tactics and instability in parts of the Sahel region, Laka assured Nigerians that both physical and digital counter terrorism efforts would be strengthened. He said security agencies plan to intensify operations in 2026 as Nigeria continues to play a leadership role in addressing regional security threats.
