Nigerian Terrorist Streams Live On TikTok From Hideout, Flaunts Ransom Money | #NwokeukwuMascot

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An infamous bandit, notorious for flaunting ransom payments on social media, took to TikTok for a live broadcast from his hideout on Wednesday. The incident has sparked widespread concern, particularly among security experts who view it as a disturbing trend in the use of social media by criminal elements.






Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad area, shared a photo of the armed bandit engaging with viewers during the live video session. The armed man, who appeared relaxed and confident, directly interacted with his audience, underscoring the growing appeal of TikTok among young Nigerians, especially in the northern region. However, this incident also highlights the platform's unintended use by terrorists and criminals to spread harmful content.







The broadcast comes on the heels of a concerning report by SBM Intelligence, which revealed that no fewer than 7,568 people were abducted across Nigeria between July 2023 and July 2024. The report paints a grim picture of the nation's security crisis, noting the increasingly complex nature of threats posed by armed groups and non-state actors who are exploiting the state's weakened influence.








The report further details the resurgence of Boko Haram in the Northeast, the rise of armed gangs in the Northcentral and Northwest, secessionist violence in the Southeast, and gang-related issues in the Southwest. Among these diverse security threats, kidnapping for ransom has emerged as a common thread.








"Between July 2023 and June 2024, our research found that no fewer than 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 incidents across the country," the report states. "During that period, kidnappers demanded at least N10,995,090,000 (approximately $6,871,931) as ransom but received only N1,048,110,000, a mere 9.5% of the money demanded, indicating a shift in kidnappers' victimology."








Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina were identified as the states with the highest numbers of kidnapping incidents and victims. In some instances, particularly in the Northwest and North Central regions, kidnappers have opted for non-monetary ransom such as foodstuffs, reflecting the dire economic conditions in these areas.








This latest development raises significant concerns about the role of social media in facilitating the activities of criminal groups and underscores the urgent need for robust strategies to counter the growing influence of these platforms among terrorists and bandits.







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