Fifteen persons have been arrested across the Netherlands over allegations of spreading propaganda linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group on social media platform TikTok.
According to a report by DW, the arrests were carried out on Tuesday during coordinated raids in the Netherlands. The suspects, whose ages range between 16 and 53, were taken into custody by security agencies in the Netherlands.
Dutch prosecutors said those arrested are suspected of disseminating ISIS propaganda on TikTok and attempting to persuade others to carry out terrorist attacks.
Authorities said the investigation was triggered by a TikTok account that allegedly circulated large volumes of ISIS-related propaganda content, accompanied by Dutch-language subtitles.
According to Dutch authorities, some of the posts were viewed more than 100,000 times.
Reuters reported that 13 of the suspects are Syrian nationals, while four possess Dutch citizenship, indicating that some of those arrested may be dual nationals.
The arrests come amid continued military operations against ISIS in Syria.
Last week, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had conducted five airstrikes targeting what it described as “multiple” Islamic State positions, as part of ongoing efforts to “ensure the enduring defeat of the terrorist network.”
Meanwhile in Nigeria, terrorists have continued to operate openly on TikTok and other social media platforms with no apparent repercussions.
In August 2024, for example, a terrorist appeared in a viral TikTok video making an unusual appeal to Nigerians, urging them to share their bank account details as a way of “appreciating” those who praised the group’s leader, Mohammed Bello Turji Kachalla, during nationwide protests against economic hardship.
In the video, the speaker claimed the group was pleased that some individuals from northern Nigeria had described Turji as a “hero,” and suggested that the request was meant to reward such expressions of support.
He said, “May the peace and blessings be with you all Nigerians. Protesters, we heard you guys are praising Mohammed Bello Turji.
“We are grateful, we are grateful to you, may you achieve success. Bello Turji is greeting. Send your account details; Bello Turji wants to do something for you people.”
