Senate orders Police, DSS to track online criminals

By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Senate has directed security agencies to identify, track, and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly display criminal activities and ill-gotten wealth on social media platforms, including TikTok.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on rising insecurity in Kogi West and other parts of the country, sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi during Thursday’s plenary session.

During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) moved an additional prayer urging the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other security agencies to monitor and apprehend criminals operating openly online.

She warned that criminal networks were increasingly using social media to normalise violence and project impunity.

“Two days ago on TikTok, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100 million in 30 minutes through their handles, especially TikTok,” she said, questioning why such activities had not been tracked and disrupted.

The prayer was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) and received broad support from lawmakers.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the online display of criminal activity as a direct challenge to the Nigerian state, calling for urgent and coordinated action by security agencies.

He urged the Department of State Services and other security bodies to intensify surveillance and tracking efforts.

“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 further stressed that the open flaunting of cash and criminal exploits online was aimed at undermining public confidence in state institutions.

The Senate President also called for improved coordination between the Senate and security agencies, insisting that arrested suspects should be properly reported and prosecuted to reassure Nigerians.

The resolution forms part of renewed legislative efforts to address insecurity in Kogi State and across the country, with lawmakers calling for stronger intelligence gathering, surveillance, and enforcement operations against criminal groups.

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