A notorious bandit identified as Auta Yankuzo has reportedly shared a photograph on TikTok showing what is alleged to be a large sum of money obtained from kidnap ransom payments.
The claim was made on Wednesday by conflict journalist Bakatsine in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
According to Bakatsine, the image was uploaded to Yankuzo’s TikTok account on Tuesday. However, he noted that the photograph may not be recent, suggesting it was likely taken during an earlier ransom payment.
“Bandits TikToker Auta Yankuzo has posted a ransom payment on his account yesterday. The picture appears to be from previous payment as the ground looks too dry to be of recent days,” Bakatsine wrote.
Bakatsine, who regularly reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, said the image appears to have been reposted despite likely originating from an earlier incident.
The development has renewed concerns over the use of social media platforms by criminal groups to display their activities and alleged proceeds from crime.
It comes days after a viral video surfaced online showing armed bandits displaying large sums of cash reportedly received as ransom payments, further raising alarm over the country’s worsening security situation.
Kidnapping for ransom remains one of Nigeria’s most persistent security challenges, particularly across the North-West and parts of the North-Central, where armed gangs have repeatedly targeted communities, travellers, schools and farmers.
Despite ongoing military operations against bandit groups, incidents of attacks and abductions continue to be reported in several states across the country.
The authenticity of the TikTok image and the source of the money have not been independently verified.
