A notorious bandit, Auta Yankuzo, has reportedly shared a photograph on TikTok showing a large amount of cash allegedly obtained from kidnapping ransom payments.

The allegation was made by conflict journalist Bakatsine in a post on X on Wednesday.

According to Bakatsine, the image was uploaded to Yankuzo’s TikTok account on Tuesday. He noted, however, that the photograph may not have been taken recently, suggesting it could be from an earlier ransom transaction.

“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 closely monitors and reports on insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, said the image’s background raises questions about when it was actually taken, despite its recent publication online.

The post has sparked renewed concerns about the growing presence of armed bandit groups on social media platforms, where some have reportedly used online channels to showcase their activities and influence.

The development follows the circulation of a viral video in which armed bandits were seen displaying large sums of cash allegedly linked to ransom payments, further fueling concerns over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.

Kidnapping for ransom remains a major security challenge in the country, particularly across the North-West and parts of the North-Central regions, where armed groups frequently target communities, travellers, farmers and educational institutions.

Despite ongoing military offensives and security operations aimed at curbing banditry, cases of abduction and violent attacks continue to be recorded in several states.