‘This Is Impunity’ — Senate Moves Against Bandits Flaunting Wealth on TikTok

The Senate has directed security and intelligence agencies to immediately identify, monitor and apprehend bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements who openly display their activities and proceeds of crime on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.

The resolution followed growing concerns among lawmakers over the increasing use of social media by criminal groups to flaunt wealth, project influence and publicise their operations with apparent impunity.

The directive emerged during Thursday’s plenary following the consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) on the worsening security situation in Kogi West Senatorial District and other parts of Nigeria.

While debating the motion, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) raised fresh concerns over what she described as the alarming visibility of bandits and terrorists on social media.

According to her, criminal groups have become increasingly bold, using online platforms not only to display weapons and wealth but also to openly celebrate criminal proceeds without fear of arrest.

Akpoti-Uduaghan told the Senate that some bandits recently conducted a massive giveaway through TikTok, distributing huge sums of money to followers while security agencies appeared unable to trace their activities.

“Two days ago on TikTok, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100 million within 30 minutes through their handles, especially TikTok,” she said.

The senator questioned why agencies specifically established to combat cybercrime and monitor digital activities had not been able to identify and arrest individuals who openly operate online while allegedly engaging in terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.

“I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media.

“Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other security agencies to intensify efforts to track and arrest these individuals,” she stated.

Her proposal received immediate backing from Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) who seconded the prayer, while several lawmakers voiced support for stronger digital surveillance and enforcement measures.

Contributing to the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the activities of the criminals as a direct challenge to the Nigerian state and its security architecture.

Akpabio said the public display of criminal activities and illicit wealth on social media represents a dangerous form of impunity capable of undermining public confidence in government institutions.

“The Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity,” Akpabio said.

He argued that the circulation of videos showing criminals displaying cash and celebrating criminal exploits online sends the wrong message to citizens and creates the impression that law enforcement agencies are powerless.

“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he added.

The Senate President called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other security institutions to prioritise the monitoring of online activities linked to criminal groups.

According to him, intelligence gathering must evolve to match the growing sophistication of criminal networks that now exploit digital platforms to gain attention, recruit followers and project influence.

Akpabio further stressed that security agencies must not only arrest suspects but also keep Nigerians informed about enforcement actions to reassure citizens that justice is being served.

“If they are apprehended, they should also report back so that Nigerians can know that those who openly show their faces while committing crimes are being arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.

Following extensive deliberations, the Senate unanimously adopted the motion and formally directed relevant security agencies to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and cyber-monitoring operations aimed at identifying and dismantling criminal networks operating on social media.

Lawmakers maintained that addressing insecurity requires both physical and digital enforcement strategies, especially as criminal groups increasingly exploit technology and social media platforms to expand their influence and evade law enforcement.

The resolution forms part of broader legislative efforts to combat banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes that continue to threaten lives and livelihoods across the country.