Some Nigerians have reportedly shared bank account numbers with bandits on TikTok, hoping to receive part of ransom money collected from kidnapping across the country.
A business analyst, Bolaji Fesomade, on his X page said some Nigerians dropped their account numbers for a bandit during a TikTok live “giveaway,” and the bandit later credited them with ransom money.
He wrote, “Yesterday, some Nigerians dropped their account no. for a bandit on TikTok for giveaway, and the bandit credited them with ransom money. This highlights our core issue: the average citizen enables crime. When DSS traces his funds to you, expect arrest & jail time alongside him.”
Another social media user, Danny of Owerri, backed the claim, saying the bandits made it clear the money shared came from ransom, yet people still sent in their details. Danny wrote, “He wrote, “Nigeria which way again? Bàndit came on Tiktok live and did giveaway. Some Nigerians started sending their account number to be credited.
The Bàndits made it known to them that the money they were sharing was a ransome money.”
A legal practitioner, Foundational Egi Nupe, also expressed concern, writing on his X page, “People were really dropping account details for bandits to credit them on TikTok? Wow.”
The post triggered mixed reactions online. While some condemned the act and urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to track those involved, others argued they should be excused due to harsh economic conditions in the country.
Bandits are often reported to use social media, especially TikTok, to show ransom money or go live and interact with users.
As of the time of filing this report, Hedlyne could not independently verify the claims, as searches showed no recorded TikTok videos of the incident. However, some videos online show individuals alleging that Nigerians did share account details with the criminals.
