The State Security Service on Wednesday announced a nationwide crackdown on individuals allegedly caught posting inciting materials on the Internet, in a move that could provoke fresh debates about the potency of Nigerian Constitution’s free speech safeguards.

The SSS said it had recently observed that some social media users were skewing Nigeria’s history to promote ethnic violence and tip the nation into crisis, a development it said must be urgently reversed through state interference.

The secret police’s spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES that some “unpatriotic” Nigerians have been using social media platforms to make “unguarded public statements and/or use the social media platforms to instil fear in the minds of citizens”.


“These are reflected in the misleading statements and articles being circulated among unsuspecting members of the public. Such inciting materials oftentimes are designed to make or convey false accusations by one group against the other.

“They also resort to skewing historical narratives to suit their objective of masterminding ethnic violence in the nation. So far, some of the culprits have been arrested,” Mr Afunanya said.

The SSS said it was “determined to ensure that the tribal chauvinists and mischief makers do not continue to exploit socio-political differences and Internet platforms to threaten the peace and stability of the country.”

The service said regional and community elders should not only desist from making “unguarded statements” but also help shut down all ethnically-charged rhetoric by persons in their respective domains.

The SSS vowed to “sustain the apprehension and prosecution of defaulters,” because it would not relent in its quest to prevent crimes and keep Nigeria as an indivisible country.

Mr Afunanya told PREMIUM TIMES in a follow-up conversation that he would make available the identities of those arrested and from which parts of the country.

While it may generate outrage for the manner it was executed, the crackdown did not come in isolation or as a surprise to Internet and free speech advocates.

The Nigerian government has invested heavily in tracking tools to keep social media users in check, even though the practise remained largely non-transparent and constitutionally problematic.

“It is a development that does does not come as a surprise,” Adeboye Adegoke, an Internet rights expert with Paradigm Initiative, told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday morning. “The foundation for this was laid in the past three-two five years with investments in monitoring and policing speech by the Nigerian government.”

Mr Adegoke described the SSS’ action as scary and aimed at fostering an atmosphere of fear amongst Nigerians online.

“What we are seeing is a scary dive dive into a climate of fear, a chilling effect in which case citizen will have to think twice before sharing opinion especially those opinions that do not paint the incumbent in good light.”

The analyst said the government has exploited its monopoly over national security to assume a controversial position as the arbiter of patriotism and seditious acts.

“The Constitution is clear on the rights of citizens to express opinions. The government does not have to like such opinions,” Mr Adegoke said.


The expert said the SSS should promptly publish details of the arrests, but Nigerians should not wait before condemning repressive acts that erode civil liberties.

“The country is gradually becoming a place where speech is being policed and everyone who cares about civil liberty should not only be worried but resist attempts by the state to cow citizens into submission to state-defined ‘patriotism’ or ‘hate speech.”

https://www.independent.ng/breaking-dss-declares-nationwide-crackdown-on-social-media-users

Is about to happen...no more freedom of speech

Omooba77:
The State Security Service on Wednesday announced a nationwide crackdown on individuals allegedly caught posting inciting materials on the Internet, in a move that could provoke fresh debates about the potency of Nigerian Constitution’s free speech safeguards.

The SSS said it had recently observed that some social media users were skewing Nigeria’s history to promote ethnic violence and tip the nation into crisis, a development it said must be urgently reversed through state interference.

The secret police’s spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES that some “unpatriotic” Nigerians have been using social media platforms to make “unguarded public statements and/or use the social media platforms to instil fear in the minds of citizens”.


“These are reflected in the misleading statements and articles being circulated among unsuspecting members of the public. Such inciting materials oftentimes are designed to make or convey false accusations by one group against the other.

“They also resort to skewing historical narratives to suit their objective of masterminding ethnic violence in the nation. So far, some of the culprits have been arrested,” Mr Afunanya said.

The SSS said it was “determined to ensure that the tribal chauvinists and mischief makers do not continue to exploit socio-political differences and Internet platforms to threaten the peace and stability of the country.”

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The service said regional and community elders should not only desist from making “unguarded statements” but also help shut down all ethnically-charged rhetoric by persons in their respective domains.

The SSS vowed to “sustain the apprehension and prosecution of defaulters,” because it would not relent in its quest to prevent crimes and keep Nigeria as an indivisible country.

Mr Afunanya told PREMIUM TIMES in a follow-up conversation that he would make available the identities of those arrested and from which parts of the country.

While it may generate outrage for the manner it was executed, the crackdown did not come in isolation or as a surprise to Internet and free speech advocates.

The Nigerian government has invested heavily in tracking tools to keep social media users in check, even though the practise remained largely non-transparent and constitutionally problematic.

“It is a development that does does not come as a surprise,” Adeboye Adegoke, an Internet rights expert with Paradigm Initiative, told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday morning. “The foundation for this was laid in the past three-two five years with investments in monitoring and policing speech by the Nigerian government.”

Mr Adegoke described the SSS’ action as scary and aimed at fostering an atmosphere of fear amongst Nigerians online.

“What we are seeing is a scary dive dive into a climate of fear, a chilling effect in which case citizen will have to think twice before sharing opinion especially those opinions that do not paint the incumbent in good light.”

The analyst said the government has exploited its monopoly over national security to assume a controversial position as the arbiter of patriotism and seditious acts.

“The Constitution is clear on the rights of citizens to express opinions. The government does not have to like such opinions,” Mr Adegoke said.


The expert said the SSS should promptly publish details of the arrests, but Nigerians should not wait before condemning repressive acts that erode civil liberties.

“The country is gradually becoming a place where speech is being policed and everyone who cares about civil liberty should not only be worried but resist attempts by the state to cow citizens into submission to state-defined ‘patriotism’ or ‘hate speech.”

https://www.independent.ng/breaking-dss-declares-nationwide-crackdown-on-social-media-users

they will all failed woefully in their bid. they should know that there's freedom of information and expressions of interest in Nigeria.

Yet, the Lifeless clown was busy celebrating Democracy day a few hours ago.

Johnnyessence:
they will all failed woefully in their bid. they should know that there's freedom of information and expressions of interest in Nigeria.

Nigeria is on the final round of redemption.

Omooba77:


Nigeria is on the final round of redemption.

they are only calling for more protest against gagged on social media and freedom of speech.

Next level things

Johnnyessence:
they are only calling for more protest against gagged on social media and freedom of speech.

Evil can not overcome good thing

Omooba77:


Evil can not overcome good thing

that's it will never hold any water. Infact they even make those they arrested to be more popular too. social media platform will never be gagged.

Democracy gift

Johnnyessence:
that's it will never hold any water. Infact they even make those they arrested to be more popular too. social media platform will never be gagged.

Is this government activating decree 2 and 4 of 1984?

Omooba77:


Is this government activating decree 2 and 4 of 1984?

if they issued out any decree they want, it will never hold any water in as much they targeting towards the media. and it will never stand.

you hid their history and refused that they learn it on their own. how the hell did I get into this country. if you ask most Nigerian graduates the history of Nigeria, probably he starts from 1960. q1 who were these people before the 19th century, their origin, culture and what distinctly made them a nation. let me stop here before Savage commentators come for my head

mcjohny:
you hid their history and refused that they learn it on their own. how the hell did I get into this country. if you ask most Nigerian graduates the history of Nigeria, probably he starts from 1960. q1 who were these people before the 19th century, their origin, culture and what distinctly made them a nation. let me stop here before Savage commentators come for my head

May be taking a cue from Liberia's George Weah

Rubbish move, from a govt that can not fight Fulani marauders. They should focus on the killings that is about to turn the northwest into the northeast and leave internet users alone
APC rode to power on the back of social media, now they want to truncate it because they fear their failures would push them out of power.
Finally; Tinubu, Osinbajo and others keep quiet because they eye the presidency come 2023, but they don't know that these Abøkis can change it for them at the eleventh hour when it would be too late to react.

sebali:
Rubbish move, from a govt that can not fight Fulani marauders. They should focus on the killings that is about to turn the northwest into the northeast and leave internet users alone
APC came rode to power on the back of social media, now they want to truncate it because they fear their failures would push them out of power.
Finally; Tinubu, Osinbajo and others keep quiet because they eye the presidency come 2023, but they don't know that these Abokis can change it for them at the eleventh hour when it would be too late to react.

Finger cross,
lalasticlala happy freedom day

Where Hitler or IdiAmin

Omooba77:


Finger cross,
lalasticlala happy freedom day

I use to be way more tolerant on issues of ethnicity and religion but the present crop of Islamic Northerners we have in power lead by Buhari is pushing it. They are the ones dividing Nigeria yet they are quick to point fingers.
If they love Nigeria so much and wants us to remain one the Fulanis and Northern Muslims should not be treated like first class citizens while others are treated like inferiors where in reality they are the inferior ones; poverty na dem, illiteracy na dem, contribute zero both in resources and human capacity na dem, violent killings na dem.
Southerners are no saints but it is the share unproductiveness of the north that is dragging us back, as an example the one thing the solo control;
meat production, they want to kill every other citizen for.....
I regret ever supporting Buhari in 2015.

better to stay safe

T

Well.......good bye to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.....e go be!!!

[img]https://media1./images/570b7264b4a01c702b15568f0da23e83/tenor.gif?itemid=10153624[/img]

E no concern me.

Hmmmmmmmmm! Make baba do us sofrey Sofrey!

Nigeria will soon turn to North Korea, without Nuclear bombs of course.

Just a cow loving dictator at the helm overseeing a dying populace

There have only been two times in Nigeria where the heads of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary were all headed by Northerners. The first time was when General Muhammadu Buhari was a military head of state in 1983. The second time is when General Buhari was inaugurated for a second term. A leopard can't change its spots. We now have the head of the Executive (Buhari) from the Northwest. Head of the Legislature (Lawan) from the Northeast. Head of the Judiciary (CJN Tanko) from the Northeast. As if that is not enough insult on the South, there are 10 law enforcement and intelligence agencies in Nigeria. They are ALL headed by Northerners, including the NPF, NSA, DSS, NIA, DMI, DIA, NPS, NCS, NIS, and EFCC. Bola Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi and Adams Oshiomhole, clap for yourselves - Reno Omokri