Densus 88 Anti-terror Arrest 5 Student Recruiters To Join The Terrorist Network Via Online Games

The National Police's Anti-terror Special Detachment (Densus) 88 arrested five people suspected of recruiting children through social media and online games to engage in terrorist networks.

Karopenmas Divhumas Polri Brigadier General Trunoyudo explained that the perpetrators started an approach through social media, one of which was through online games, and directed the target of children to private groups for the indoctrination process.

"Online for terrorism groups targeting children who have been successfully uncovered by the National Police's Special Detachment 88 AT," said Brigadier General Trunoyudo at the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, South Jakarta, Tuesday, November 18.

Truno revealed that in the past year, three cases were also found using recruitment mode through digital spaces such as social media, online games, instant messaging applications, and closed sites.

The latest action was carried out on November 17, 2025, against two adult suspects who acted as recruiters and communication controllers in West Sumatra and Central Java. Previously, three other people had also been arrested.

"And in the social media group, 5 adults have been arrested," Truno continued.

Here are some of the perpetrators who were arrested, including:

-FW alias JT, from Medan, North Sumatra, was arrested on February 5, 2025.

-LM, 23 years old, was arrested in Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi

-PP alias BBMS, a resident of Sleman, DIY, 37 years old, was arrested on September 22, 2025

-MSVO, 18 years old, from Tegal, Central Java.

-JJS alias BS, a resident of Agam Regency, West Sumatra, aged 19, was arrested on September 22, 2025.

To date, Densus 88 noted that around 110 children aged 10'18 years in 23 provinces are suspected of having been indoctrinated.

Trunoyudo said that the initial propaganda was spread on open platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and online games, then targets that were considered potential were contacted via WhatsApp or Telegram.

Propaganda was initially dominated through more open platforms such as FB, Instagram, and online games. Then after that those who are considered potential targets will be contacted personally or in Java," he said.

According to him, the content that is distributed is in the form of short videos, animation, memes, and music. He emphasized that children's vulnerability is influenced by factors such as bullying, broken homes, lack of family attention, search for identity, social marginalization, and low digital literacy and religious understanding.

Densus 88 spokesman AKBP Mayndra Eka added that the legal process is currently underway, while the children identified as victims are being handled with PPA, Ministry of Social Affairs, and various stakeholders.

"For now, the legal process against the suspect is being carried out," he said

"Against the children or students we have identified, we are collaborating with various stakeholders, both at the center and in the regions," he continued.

Mayndra also said that this online dose network involved the motherland of a province in Indonesia.

"Almost all provinces in Indonesia are involved, yes, because this is the online network," he concluded.