TikTok Terror: Jihadists Exploit Social Media to Boost Propaganda and Recruitment in Nigeria

 

As violence escalates across northeastern Nigeria, extremist factions are finding new and increasingly sophisticated ways to extend their reach — not just through rifles and roadside bombs, but through smartphones and social media streams.

Over 100 people were killed in April alone, part of a renewed wave of jihadist violence engulfing Borno State, the long-suffering heartland of Nigeria’s 15-year insurgency. At the same time, jihadist propaganda surged online, with TikTok becoming an emerging hub for extremist messaging, recruitment, and threats.

Clips reviewed by Agence France-Presse show individuals dressed as clerics, weapons on display, delivering fiery sermons that echo the early tactics of Boko Haram’s notorious founder, Mohammed Yusuf. More troubling still, these videos aren’t hidden in the depths of the internet—they’re public broadcasts, sometimes streamed live, using the app’s real-time engagement features.

Accounts linked to jihadist groups are leveraging the visual nature of TikTok to full effect. Faces aren’t blurred. Identities aren’t masked. On the contrary, many militants appear eager to be seen, boldly showcasing stacks of cash, firearms, and grenades while preaching anti-Western ideologies.

Security analysts say the shift is no accident. Malik Samuel, a researcher with the Abuja-based think tank Good Governance Africa, explained that this visibility serves a purpose: “They want their audience to know they’re real. They aren’t afraid — that’s the message.”

The strategy appears to be working. Jihadist groups have found fertile ground on platforms with a strong youth presence. Saddiku Muhammad, a former fighter who defected, noted that the move to TikTok followed increased surveillance of encrypted apps like Telegram. More than just a fallback, TikTok provides extremists with a direct line to tech-savvy youth.

“Traditional preaching didn’t work anymore,” Muhammad said. “They’ve learned to package their ideology in a way that appeals to the younger generation.”

These efforts go beyond recycled rhetoric. Accounts reviewed by AFP showed coordination between users, joint livestreams, and interactive sessions where militants answered viewers’ questions. Followers also sent digital “gifts” — virtual items that can be exchanged for real-world money. The monetization potential adds yet another layer of concern for observers already struggling to contain the ideological and physical spread of violence.

Bulama Bukarti, a Nigerian analyst and vice president at the Texas-based Bridgeway Foundation, has experienced these tactics firsthand. After publicly criticizing Boko Haram, he was personally threatened in a now-deleted TikTok video posted by one of the group's members. “It started with bandits,” Bukarti posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Now Boko Haram members are hosting live TikTok shows.”

Despite the growing visibility of these accounts, enforcement appears inconsistent. TikTok has acknowledged the presence of violent extremist content and stated that many offending profiles have been removed. Yet, numerous accounts remain active, regularly broadcasting and building audiences. The platform’s livestream feature, while intended to encourage community interaction, complicates monitoring efforts due to its real-time nature.

A spokesperson for TikTok emphasized the platform’s zero-tolerance policy: “Terrorist groups and content related to these groups have no place on TikTok. We take an uncompromising stance against violent extremism, on or off our platform.”

The company added that it works with Tech Against Terrorism, a UN-supported initiative, to strengthen its moderation capabilities. But with terrorist recruiters staying one step ahead, critics argue more robust mechanisms are urgently needed.

Beyond TikTok, the broader consequences of this trend are grave. Nigeria’s jihadist conflict — which includes factions aligned with both Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province — has already claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than two million people. The addition of a digital recruitment front threatens to deepen that crisis.

While some extremist factions, particularly ISWAP, continue to favor a more structured communication model, the raw, improvised style of Boko Haram operatives on TikTok may prove even more dangerous. It feels personal. It feels immediate. And for a generation raised on social media, it might feel convincing.

As the lines between warfare and wireless signals continue to blur, Nigeria’s battle against extremism is no longer just being fought in forests or borderlands — but in comment sections, livestreams, and TikTok’s global feed.