The Federal Government has intensified efforts to shut down social media accounts used by terrorists and criminal groups to coordinate attacks and solicit funds.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, revealed that platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X have been exploited by criminals to broadcast operations and showcase stolen goods.
Laka noted that security agencies are working closely with tech platforms to remove threatening content and prevent live-streamed criminal acts.
“Criminals were even streaming live their operations at one point,” Laka said. “But through collaboration with these platforms, we have been able to stop such broadcasts and take down their accounts.”
The DG highlighted that kidnappers are increasingly using Point-of-Sale (POS) operators to collect and route ransom money, making it difficult to trace the financial trail.
“This system makes it harder for us to track their operations, but our teams are committed to disrupting these networks,” he stated, adding that security teams are actively apprehending those involved in these third-party transaction channels.
