Jihadist groups in northeastern Nigeria are increasingly leveraging TikTok to advance their extremist agenda, recruit new followers, and showcase their operations, amid a resurgence of violence in the region.
In April alone, over 100 people were killed in fresh attacks, mainly in Borno State the epicenter of Nigeria’s 15-year insurgency. Governor Babagana Zulum has warned that militant groups are reclaiming territory in parts of the state.
AFP-reviewed videos reveal armed men displaying rifles, grenades, and stacks of cash while live-streaming content that echoes the rhetoric of former Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. Some broadcasts feature alliances with others pushing anti-Western ideologies.
Although extremist use of TikTok isn’t new criminal gangs in northwestern Nigeria have used it previously experts say Boko Haram is now adopting the platform more systematically.
“It started with bandits,” noted Bulama Bukarti of the Bridgeway Foundation on X. “Now Boko Haram members are going live on TikTok spreading propaganda, justifying violence, and intimidating critics.” Bukarti was himself threatened in one such video, which has since been deleted.
While TikTok enforces content moderation policies, the app’s livestream function poses challenges for real-time oversight. A spokesperson acknowledged the difficulty in measuring how many extremist-linked accounts have been taken down, noting that some remain active.
“We have zero tolerance for terrorist content,” TikTok stated, highlighting its collaboration with Tech Against Terrorism to improve detection and enforcement.
AFP identified 19 accounts operated by individuals dressed as clerics, calling for violence, displaying weapons, and airing footage of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf and banned preacher Isah Garo Assalafy. Many of these accounts frequently go live, engaging with viewers and receiving digital gifts convertible to cash.
Nigeria’s jihadist conflict which includes the rival Islamic State West Africa Province has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than two million people. According to former jihadist Saddiku Muhammad, the shift to TikTok follows increased government crackdowns on platforms like Telegram. With TikTok’s popularity among young users, it’s become a strategic tool.
“Jihadists are evolving,” Muhammad explained. “They’re connecting with youth in a language they understand and it’s proving effective.”
Security analyst Malik Samuel of Good Governance Africa said the use of TikTok is calculated. “By revealing their faces, they send a bold message: they’re not hiding, and they’re humanizing themselves.”
While Islamic State West Africa Province maintains a more professional media approach, Boko Haram’s presence on TikTok remains raw and grassroots.
TikTok reaffirmed its stance: “We do not allow violent or hateful organizations on our platform and will continue taking action against violators.”
