The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigerian security agencies are working closely with major social media companies to identify and remove accounts used by terrorists and criminal groups to promote violence and raise funds.
The Director General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj Gen Adamu Laka, made this known on Tuesday, December 23, during an end of year briefing in Abuja.
Laka said platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X have been exploited by terrorist groups to publicise operations, display looted items and communicate with supporters.
“The issue of social media platforms used by terrorist groups, if you knew how many accounts we took down.
“We have had several meetings with these social media platforms like: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X,” he said.
He explained that although the platforms are businesses focused on expanding their user base, security agencies regularly engage them on the national security implications of certain content.
“They are businesses looking to grow their subscribers, but we engage them, explain the effects of certain posts on national security, and we take them down,” Laka said.
He recalled a period when bandits openly showcased stolen items and interacted with followers online.
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“There was a time when bandits would go on TikTok showing their loot. We took those accounts down, you don’t see that again.
“At some point, they were even doing live streams and holding conversations, but we’ve been able to handle all that,” he said.
Laka noted that terrorist tactics continue to evolve, including the use of aliases and unverified accounts, adding that security agencies are constantly adapting their strategies.
He identified ransom payments as a major source of terror financing, revealing that point of sale operators are increasingly being used to move funds.
“You see a transfer made by terrorists, and when you investigate the account, it belongs to a POS operator. The kidnappers give out the POS operator’s number, the money is transferred, and they go to collect it,” he said.
According to him, security agencies have intensified efforts to track ransom payments, arrest those involved and disrupt financing networks, although operational details remain classified.
Laka said several arrests, prosecutions, asset recoveries and seizures have been carried out, contributing to Nigeria’s compliance with international anti money laundering and counter terrorism financing standards.
He assured Nigerians that despite challenges linked to regional instability in the Sahel, security agencies would continue to strengthen both physical and digital counter terrorism measures.