The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified efforts to combat terrorism and criminal networks online, with plans to work closely with major social media companies to identify and remove accounts linked to extremist groups.
This was disclosed by Adamu Laka, Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), during an end-of-year briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Laka said the collaboration is aimed at disrupting how terrorists and criminal gangs use digital platforms for recruitment, radicalisation, propaganda, fundraising, and coordination of attacks. He noted that as security operations tighten on the ground, many groups have shifted their activities to cyberspace, making online surveillance and cooperation with tech companies critical to national security.
According to him, the NCTC is engaging both local and international social media firms to ensure faster detection and takedown of harmful content and accounts, while also improving information sharing between platforms and Nigerian security agencies.
“The digital space has become a major battlefield in the fight against terrorism. These groups exploit social media to spread fear, attract followers, and mobilise resources. We are determined to deny them that space,” Laka said.
He explained that the initiative forms part of a broader counterterrorism strategy that includes intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency coordination, and capacity building across the armed forces, intelligence services, and law enforcement bodies.
The NCTC boss added that Nigeria is also working with regional and international partners to strengthen cyber monitoring and align its approach with global best practices in countering violent extremism online.
Laka assured Nigerians that while the government is committed to safeguarding lives and property, the collaboration with social media companies will be guided by the law and respect for citizens’ rights, stressing the importance of balancing security needs with responsible digital governance.
He called on members of the public to support security agencies by reporting suspicious online activities and accounts, noting that community participation remains vital in the fight against terrorism.
The Federal Government, he said, remains resolute in deploying all available tools, both physical and digital, to curb the spread of violent extremism and ensure a safer Nigeria.
