By Sam Agogo
Once upon a time, crime wore a mask. Criminals operated in shadows, concealing their identities to avoid recognition and capture. They feared exposure, knowing that a single photograph or witness could bring their downfall. Bandits hid in forests, kidnappers demanded ransom through whispers, and terrorists spread fear from the shadows.
But the digital age has rewritten the script. Crime has shed its disguise. Bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists no longer fear exposure. They flaunt their faces openly on social media, daring security agencies and shocking the public with their audacity. Smartphones, live-streaming apps, and platforms like TikTok and Facebook have become their stage. What was once forbidden is now celebrated, turning crime into spectacle.
The most recent example came from Kwara State, where two suspected bandits were arrested after appearing on live TikTok broadcasts. The men, identified as Abubakar Usman (alias Siddi) and Shehu Mohammadu (alias Gide), were linked to kidnapping and killings across Northern Nigeria. On TikTok, they flaunted firearms and displayed bundles of cash, believed to be ransom payments. They interacted with viewers, laughing and boasting about their exploits. What they saw as entertainment was, in reality, self-incrimination. Security operatives monitored the broadcasts, traced their digital activities, and eventually apprehended them in a coordinated operation. Their arrest is a stark reminder that crime has no cover in the digital age.
Across Nigeria, criminals increasingly treat crime like entertainment content. Bandits flaunt ransom money, kidnappers boast of their exploits, and terrorists display weapons online. Some even engage in live chats, adding viewers to their broadcasts and daring security agencies to stop them. In Katsina, bandits were caught on live video threatening to unleash mayhem on communities that refused to cooperate. Residents were seen snapping pictures with them, treating them like celebrities. At a wedding ceremony, bandits appeared armed and streamed the event live. What was once forbidden has now become normalized, blurring the line between crime and spectacle.
In Kebbi State, bandits who kidnapped schoolchildren went online to declare openly that no military personnel had come to rescue the victims. They boasted that ransom money was paid before the children were released. Security analysts note that the Nigerian military—one of the most capable in Africa—could have neutralized the terrorists within hours. Yet restraint was exercised, not out of weakness, but for the safety of the children. A swift strike might have ended the criminals, but it could also have caused collateral damage. Protecting innocent lives remained the priority.
The arrogance of these criminals has reached shocking levels. One bandit was even recorded threatening to kidnap the Commander‑in‑Chief in a live video, while also vowing to abduct military personnel. Such reckless statements reveal a dangerous confidence, as if crime itself has become a form of content creation.
Yet history shows that arrogance has consequences. Recent military operations, including bombings of terrorist hideouts in the North, have eliminated several of these so‑called untouchables. Their downfall is a reminder that crime and terror have an end. Those who once flaunted their faces may soon return to hiding, covering themselves to avoid identification as security forces intensify their operations.
The lure of “evil money” is strong, but history proves otherwise. Evil money cannot buy peace. Evil money cannot buy safety. Evil money cannot buy freedom. Instead, it buys exposure, suspicion, and eventually elimination. For young men tempted by crime, the lesson is clear: flaunting guns, cash, or ransom money on social media is not a show of power—it is a countdown to arrest. The Nigerian Police and military are watching. Technology is watching. Society is watching.
God bless the Nigeria Police. God bless the Nigerian military. And God bless the United States of America for supporting efforts that have brought relief to residents who endured years of terror.
For comments, reflections, and further conversation, email: samuelagogo4one@yahoo.com | Phone: +2348055847364
