The Senate has directed security agencies to track and arrest bandits who openly display criminal activities and wealth on social media. The directive came Thursday during a plenary debate on a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) addressing worsening insecurity in Kogi West Senatorial District. Lawmakers expressed alarm over criminal groups using platforms like TikTok to showcase proceeds of crime without fear of consequences. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that suspected bandits recently distributed over N100 million on TikTok within 30 minutes, questioning why the Police Cybercrime Centre has not apprehended them. She said, "Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles." Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) supported the call, urging swift action. Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the online flaunting of cash as a challenge to state authority, urging the DSS and other agencies to track and arrest those involved. He said, "The DSS should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all." Akpabio added that the public display of criminal exploits aims to erode confidence in security institutions. The Senate resolved to demand explanations from security agencies if individuals who reveal themselves online are not arrested. Karimi's motion highlighted attacks in Kogi West, including an incident in Iluke-Bunu where gunmen invaded a secondary school during SSCE exams, killing the vice principal, a teacher and a resident. He cited rising kidnappings and killings in Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Yagba West, Lokoja and Kogi local government areas. The Senate also urged President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to intensify efforts against terrorism and banditry nationwide.
Senator Akpabio questions why the DSS cannot track bandits who openly post crimes on TikTok, yet expects the same agencies to answer if arrests are not made. The bandits distributed over N100 million online, a figure that now stands as proof of both their reach and the state's delayed response. Residents in Kogi West, including students and teachers, have been killed while security agencies fail to act on visible digital trails. The Senate's demand for accountability rings hollow when the tools for tracking are ignored while crimes unfold in public view.
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