The federal government monitors the social media accounts of terrorists.

FG Tracks Terrorists’ Social Media Accounts

The Nigerian Federal Government has acknowledged the rising activity of terrorist groups on social media, particularly TikTok, where they have been using the platform to showcase their violent actions and promote propaganda.

In a recent development, the government responded by challenging these groups to face security forces in direct combat, dismissing their online threats as mere attempts to instill fear.

Terrorists, such as those affiliated with ISWAP, have used social media to display weapons, large sums of money, and other materials, flaunting their operations.

For instance, a suspected terrorist recently posted a video on TikTok with over 7,800 followers, showing bundles of cash arranged on a mat in a forested location.

This follows a disturbing trend from earlier this year when a terrorist video urged Nigerians to share their bank details in return for rewards, as part of a campaign to rally support for their leader, Mohammed Bello Turji Kachalla, during protests over economic hardship.

The Defence Headquarters has voiced concerns about these online activities, with some terrorist groups, including Lakurawa, using social media not only for recruitment but also to spread their ideologies.

In an interview on Saturday, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, confirmed that the government is actively countering these trends.

Gen. Laka stressed that the threats posed by these groups are part of their strategy to generate fear among the population and urged Nigerians to ignore such provocations.

He further condemned the terrorist groups as “cowards,” challenging them to confront security forces directly.

According to Laka, the terrorists should invite the security agencies to engage in combat if they truly believe in their strength, emphasizing that such groups lack the courage to face the military head-on.

The government’s efforts highlight the increasing use of social media by terrorist groups to spread fear and recruit members, but they remain committed to addressing this challenge through direct action and strategic countermeasures.