Nigeria social media terror accounts are being targeted as security agencies collaborate with platforms to remove posts promoting terrorism and crime
Nigerian security agencies are collaborating with major social media companies to identify and remove accounts used by terrorist and criminal groups, the Federal Government has disclosed.
Also read: Lagos Man sentenced to community service for illegal waste dumping
Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, said on Tuesday that platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X have been exploited by terrorists 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,” Laka said.
He noted that terrorist tactics continue to evolve, with the use of aliases and unverified accounts, requiring constant adaptation by security agencies.
Ransom payments, he added, remain a significant source of terror financing, often routed through point-of-sale operators to complicate tracking.
“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,” Laka explained.
He confirmed that several arrests, prosecutions, asset recoveries, and seizures have been carried out to disrupt terror financing, contributing to Nigeria’s compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.
Despite challenges posed by evolving tactics and porous borders in the Sahel, Laka assured Nigerians that efforts to strengthen both physical and digital counter-terrorism measures will continue.
“Towards the end of 2023, the security situation in Nigeria was improving. But after the coups in some Sahel countries, the situation worsened because these terrorist groups have connections across the region. So Nigeria has to play a leadership role in West Africa and the Sahel to address these threats,” he said.
Also read: Peak Milk launches AFCON watch parties to unite Nigerian fans
The move to remove terrorist accounts aligns with international calls for social media platforms to eliminate content that promotes or supports criminal activities, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to digital security and counter-terrorism efforts.
