..Lawmakers reject peace deals with terrorists, armed groups
…Security chiefs summoned over rising attacks and illegal arms proliferation
By Peter Taiwo
The Senate has directed security agencies to intensify efforts to track, arrest and prosecute bandits and terrorists who openly showcase their criminal activities and proceeds of crime on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
The resolution followed deliberations on a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, over the persistent attacks by armed bandits and terrorists in communities across Kogi State and other parts of the country.
During the debate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, proposed an additional prayer urging the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and other relevant security agencies to monitor, identify and apprehend criminals using social media to publicise their activities.
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed concern over what she described as the growing boldness of criminal elements who now openly display their operations online without fear of arrest.
According to her, some bandit groups have taken to social media platforms to distribute large sums of money and celebrate criminal exploits.
“Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over N100 million within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” she told the Senate.
The lawmaker questioned why security agencies had not effectively leveraged digital technology and cyber surveillance tools to track those involved.
“I wonder why the cybercrime unit and the police force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media,” she said.
She therefore urged the police cybercrime unit and other security agencies to immediately commence efforts to identify and arrest individuals involved in such activities.
The proposal received support from Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West, who seconded the prayer during plenary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio threw his weight behind the recommendation, describing the public display of criminal activities on social media as a direct challenge to the authority of the Nigerian state.
Akpabio said it was disturbing that criminals could openly display cash and boast about their operations without consequences.
“The Department of State Services 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,” he stated.
He argued that such online displays were capable of undermining public confidence in government institutions and security agencies.
“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” Akpabio added.
The Senate President called on intelligence and security agencies to regard the development as a major national security threat.
He further urged citizens who come across such content online to report it to the authorities.
According to him, the Senate would not hesitate to summon relevant agencies to explain any failure to act on credible intelligence.
Akpabio also stressed the need for transparency and accountability after arrests are made.
“If they are apprehended, they should also report back so that Nigerians can know that those who openly show their faces while committing crimes are being arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
Following deliberations, the Senate unanimously adopted the prayer as part of its resolutions on the motion.
In another key resolution, lawmakers called on state governments across the federation to discontinue the practice of entering peace agreements with terrorists and armed bandits.
The Senate maintained that such arrangements rarely produce lasting peace and could inadvertently embolden criminal groups.
Lawmakers warned that negotiating with armed groups often sends the wrong signal and may encourage further acts of violence and extortion.
The motion that sparked the debate was moved by Senator Karimi, who raised alarm over renewed attacks in communities within Kogi West Senatorial District.
Karimi informed the Senate that armed terrorists recently attacked Iluke-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area and attempted to abduct students who were sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination.
According to him, the attack resulted in the death of the school’s vice principal, a teacher and another resident of the community.
He further disclosed that the incident occurred barely a day after another attack on a private residence in Odo-Ere, located in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The senator lamented the growing insecurity in the district and called for urgent intervention by federal security authorities.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate invited the Commander of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons to brief lawmakers on the recent attacks and the increasing circulation of illegal firearms across the country.
The upper legislative chamber expressed concern over the proliferation of illicit weapons, noting that the trend continues to fuel terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes nationwide.
