The Federal Government has revealed that Nigerian security agencies are actively working with major social media companies to identify and remove accounts used by terrorists and criminal groups to promote their activities and raise funds.
Speaking during an end-of-year briefing in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X have been exploited by terror groups to publicise attacks, display stolen items and communicate with supporters.
According to him, security agencies have held several engagements with these companies, explaining how certain posts threaten national security and pushing for their removal.
Laka disclosed that many accounts linked to bandits and terrorists have already been taken down. He noted that there was a time when criminals openly flaunted looted items and even held live sessions on TikTok, but such activities have largely been curtailed due to sustained interventions.
He added that terror groups constantly change tactics by using aliases and unverified accounts, forcing security agencies to continually adapt their monitoring strategies.
The NCTC boss also identified ransom payments as a major source of terror financing, explaining that kidnappers often use point-of-sale (POS) operators to receive and withdraw funds, making tracking more difficult. In many cases, ransom money is transferred into POS accounts before being handed over to the criminals.
Laka said security agencies have stepped up efforts to trace ransom payments, arrest collaborators and dismantle terror financing networks, although details of ongoing operations cannot be made public for security reasons.
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He confirmed that several arrests, prosecutions, asset recoveries and seizures have been carried out, noting that these actions contribute to Nigeria’s compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. He added that Nigeria’s recent progress with the Financial Action Task Force was achieved through coordinated efforts involving security agencies, financial intelligence units and the judiciary.
While acknowledging challenges such as evolving terror tactics and insecurity across the Sahel region, Laka assured Nigerians that both physical and digital counter-terrorism measures would continue to be strengthened.
He stressed that Nigeria must play a leadership role in addressing regional security threats, adding that security agencies plan to intensify their efforts further in 2026.
