Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-24 06:36:00
Speaking in an end-of-year security briefing cited by Punch, Nigeria’s counter-terror coordination officials say they are working with major social media platforms to identify and take down accounts tied to terrorist recruitment, propaganda, and coordination.
Authorities argue that extremist networks have shifted tactics—from purely physical coordination to digital messaging, financing cues, and disinformation aimed at confusing communities and pressuring authorities.
The government’s focus is on disruption: removing visibility, breaking distribution networks, and reducing the “viral” spread of extremist content while investigations continue offline.
Officials also signalled the effort requires speed: platform cooperation and rapid verification are key, because terror-linked accounts can reappear under new names within hours.
TVC News reported Nigeria is “collaborating with major social media companies” to remove terror-linked accounts, while The Point similarly referenced the push to “identify and remove accounts linked to terrorist activities.”
Echotitbits take: Content takedowns are useful but not sufficient—terror networks will migrate. Watch for whether Nigeria pairs takedowns with digital evidence preservation (for prosecutions) and community-based counter-messaging to reduce recruitment pull.
Source: The Punch — December 24, 2025 (https://punchng.com/fg-orders-takedown-of-terrorists-social-media-accounts/)
The Punch 2025-12-24
