THE Federal Government has directed Nigerian security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at identifying and dismantling social media accounts used by terrorist and criminal groups to promote violence, raise funds and coordinate their activities across the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists during an end-of-year briefing in Abuja.
Laka revealed that security agencies are working closely with major social media companies, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X, to track, flag and take down accounts linked to terrorists, bandits and other criminal networks.
According to him, extremist groups have increasingly turned to digital platforms to publicise their operations, display looted items, intimidate communities and communicate with supporters and collaborators.
“The issue of terrorist groups using social media is something we are actively dealing with,” Laka said. “If you knew how many accounts we have taken down, you would understand the scale of the challenge. We have held several meetings with platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X.”
He explained that while social media companies are commercial entities seeking to expand their user base, sustained engagement by Nigerian authorities has helped them understand the national security implications of hosting extremist content.
“They are businesses looking to grow subscribers, but we engage them, explain the dangers of certain posts to national security, and those contents are taken down,” he added.
Laka recalled a period when bandits openly flaunted their criminal exploits online, particularly on TikTok.
“There was a time when bandits would go on TikTok, displaying their loot. We shut those accounts down—you don’t see that anymore. At some point, they were even livestreaming and holding conversations openly, but we have been able to handle all that,” he said.
Despite the progress, the counter-terrorism chief warned that terrorist groups continue to adapt, using aliases, multiple accounts and unverified profiles to evade detection.
“Terrorist tactics are constantly evolving, and so are our responses. They change names, create new accounts, and try to stay ahead, but we are adapting as well,” Laka noted.
He also identified ransom payments as a major source of terror financing, disclosing that criminal groups increasingly exploit point-of-sale (POS) operators to move funds and avoid detection.
“In many cases, ransom payments are transferred to accounts belonging to POS operators. The kidnappers provide the POS number, the money is transferred, and they go to collect it in cash, making tracking more difficult,” he explained.
According to Laka, security agencies have intensified efforts to trace ransom payments, arrest collaborators and dismantle financial networks supporting terrorism, although operational details remain classified for security reasons.
He disclosed that several arrests and prosecutions have been carried out in connection with terrorism financing, adding that asset seizures and recoveries form part of Nigeria’s obligations under international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.
Laka said Nigeria’s recent progress in meeting the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) was driven by coordinated investigations involving security agencies, financial intelligence units and the judiciary.
Addressing the broader security landscape, the NCTC boss acknowledged that developments in the Sahel region, including recent military coups, had worsened the security situation by strengthening cross-border terror networks.
“Towards the end of 2023, the security situation in Nigeria was improving. But after the coups in some Sahel countries, things worsened because these terrorist groups operate across borders,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria must play a leadership role in West Africa and the Sahel to contain the threat.
“As long as those countries face these challenges, Nigeria will also feel the impact. We are doing our best, and we will not relent. In 2026, we are going to up our game,” Laka assured.