The Federal Government has acknowledged the growing presence of terrorists on social media platforms in recent times. This was just as the government threw down the gauntlet to terrorist groups operating in the country, daring them to engage security forces in direct combat.
Terrorists have increasingly turned to social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to flaunt their activities. In several videos, they have been seen brandishing weapons and displaying large sums of cash.
On Thursday, a suspected terrorist boasting 7,893 followers and 27,700 likes on TikTok shared multiple videos from a forest location. In the videos, he was seen arranging bundles of N1,000 and N500 notes on a mat.
Earlier this year, another terrorist made headlines with a bizarre request in a viral TikTok video, urging Nigerians to share their bank account details.
This was allegedly to reward those who praised their leader, Mohammed Bello Turji Kachalla, during protests against economic hardship across the country.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, the National Coordinator, Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, revealed that the government was actively working to counter the trend by terrorists.
“Yes, we have noticed it and are taking actions against such trends,” Laka said while responding to a question on whether the centre was aware of the increased usage of social media by terrorists.
Laka dismissed recent threats by terrorist groups as mere propaganda aimed at instilling fear in Nigerians.
He urged citizens to remain calm and disregard such statements.
“These threats are part of their propaganda to create fear among the population. Nigerians should disregard them,” he said.
The counter-terrorism centre boss also described terrorists group in the country as cowards, challenging them to a direct combat with the security agents to prove themselves.
“If the terrorists are that bold and equipped, let them inform the security agencies where they are and invite them to a fight. But the truth is they are cowards,” he said.
