Gladness Gideon
A surge in jihadist activity in northeastern Nigeria is being matched by a disturbing rise in extremist propaganda on TikTok, where fighters are increasingly using the platform to recruit, intimidate, and spread their ideology to a younger, digital-savvy audience.
Security officials and analysts have raised alarm as a wave of violent attacks in April alone left over 100 people dead, primarily in Borno State, the epicenter of the 15-year insurgency. Governor Babagana Zulum has admitted that the state is steadily losing ground to the armed groups, including factions of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
In parallel, jihadist content has proliferated on TikTok, where accounts tied to militant groups are broadcasting live videos, flaunting weapons, preaching anti-Western ideologies, and interacting with followers in real time. Many of these broadcasts mimic the style of notorious Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who was known for his incendiary videos before his reported death.
Videos reviewed in April showed men dressed as clerics advocating violence, openly displaying their faces, and rallying support for their campaigns. Some of these livestreams featured collaborations with other accounts sharing footage of weapons, wads of cash, and messages glorifying jihadist violence.
“The strategy is evolving. These groups have realized that to reach the youth, they must adapt their messaging style,” said Saddiku Muhammad, a former jihadist who has since renounced violence. “The traditional demagogic approach no longer works — TikTok speaks their language.”
With the Nigerian government intensifying crackdowns on platforms like Telegram, extremists appear to be pivoting to more mainstream social media channels with high engagement among young people. The shift poses significant new challenges for counterterrorism efforts.
Security analyst Malik Samuel of Good Governance Africa noted the deliberate decision by some fighters to reveal their identities during broadcasts. “It’s meant to send a message — that they are unafraid and very much present. It’s psychological warfare as much as it is propaganda,” he explained.
READ ALSO: 13 Nigerien Soldiers Killed in Jihadist Clashes as Insurgency Persists
Despite efforts to curb the trend, TikTok has struggled to contain the spread of jihadist content. While many flagged accounts have been removed, several others remain active, often using evasive tactics to stay online.
In response to growing concerns, TikTok reiterated its commitment to removing content that promotes violence or terrorism. “We do not tolerate violent extremist groups on our platform,” the company stated. “We have partnered with Tech Against Terrorism and continue to invest in proactive measures to detect and eliminate such content.”
Experts warn that the use of TikTok by extremists is not just about visibility — it’s becoming a tool for recruitment and revenue. Live interactions often yield digital gifts that can be converted into cash, further fueling their campaigns.
“This is no longer just an online nuisance,” said Bulama Bukarti, a Nigerian counter-extremism expert. “It’s a threat that is bleeding into the real world, with deadly consequences.” Bukarti himself has been targeted with threats by Boko Haram sympathizers on the app.
Nigeria’s jihadist conflict has claimed more than 40,000 lives and displaced over two million people since 2009. As militants expand their digital reach, the battle against extremism is no longer just being fought in the forests and villages of the northeast — it is unfolding on phone screens across the country.