ABUJA: A former media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has called on the Federal Government to review the continued operation of TikTok in Nigeria following an alleged child abuse case in Anambra State.
Olayinka urged the government to either consider banning the platform or introduce stricter regulations if adequate measures cannot be put in place to prevent its misuse for the exploitation of children.
His call followed the arrest of a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, by the Anambra State Police Command in connection with an alleged child pornography case in Onitsha.
The case came to public attention after a disturbing video involving a minor circulated online.
According to the police, officers acted on information obtained through open-source intelligence before arresting Onyeanusia on Thursday, September 10.
The operation also led to the rescue of four children, aged two, three, six and nine.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said sex-related items and other materials considered relevant to the investigation were recovered during the operation.
The arrested woman remains in police custody while detectives investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and determine whether other individuals may have been involved.
Her husband is also being questioned by investigators.
Reacting to the development, Olayinka questioned whether TikTok should continue operating without stronger restrictions in Nigeria, particularly if the platform can be exploited to circulate harmful material involving children.
He argued that the Anambra incident should not be viewed solely as an individual criminal matter but should also trigger a broader conversation about online safety and the protection of minors.
Olayinka called on relevant authorities to examine TikTok’s existing safeguards and determine whether they are strong enough to prevent the platform from being exploited for child exploitation.
His position effectively puts the question of a possible TikTok ban in Nigeria back into public debate amid growing concerns about children’s safety online.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, condemned the alleged incident and expressed concern over the involvement of children.
The commissioner directed officers to conduct a thorough investigation while making the safety and welfare of the rescued children a priority.
The police said the children would receive appropriate care and protection throughout the process.
According to the command, authorities will work with child-protection and support agencies to provide the children with counselling and other assistance required for their recovery.
The police also assured that the identities and privacy of the children would be protected throughout the investigation.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the investigation was still ongoing and would establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and whether other persons were involved.
The command also commended residents, vigilante operatives and bloggers whose information helped investigators identify the case and make the arrest.
The police stressed that the investigation extends beyond the arrested woman as detectives continue to examine the available evidence.
The Anambra case has renewed concerns over how social media platforms can be used to distribute harmful content and potentially expose children to exploitation.
Platforms such as TikTok allow users to create and distribute videos to large audiences almost instantly. Although social media companies maintain policies against child sexual exploitation and other harmful content, enforcement and the ability to prevent abuse remain subjects of public concern.
Olayinka’s demand therefore calls for authorities to assess whether existing safeguards are sufficient or whether stronger regulatory measures are required to protect Nigerian children.
Nigeria has previously taken decisive action against major social media platforms.
In 2021, the Federal Government suspended Twitter’s operations in the country after accusing the platform of allowing its service to be used in ways it considered harmful to national security. The suspension lasted several months before the government lifted it in January 2022 following discussions with the platform.
For now, however, Olayinka’s demand for action against TikTok remains a call for government review, while the Anambra police investigation into the alleged child abuse case continues.
