The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally written to Facebook, demanding the removal of a post made by activist Omoyele Sowore, which it described as disparaging to President Bola Tinubu and a threat to national security.
The agency said the post, published on August 26, 2025, was “misleading, offensive, and capable of inciting violence” and insisted that it must be taken down within 24 hours.
In the letter, signed by Uwem Davies on behalf of the Director General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, the DSS expressed dismay at the publication, which it said ridiculed the President. The correspondence was captioned: “Re: Misleading Information and Wilful Intention to Further an Ideology Capable of Serious Harm, Incitement to Violence, Cybercrime, Hate Speech to Discredit/Disparage the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Cause Serious Threat to National Security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The DSS cited Sowore’s post, which read: “This criminal @ official ABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!” The Service maintained that the post, which continues to circulate online, has provoked widespread reactions, heightened tension across the country, and negatively affected Nigeria’s image before the international community.
According to the agency, the post violates Nigerian laws, including Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, which prohibits the publication of false information; Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2025, which criminalise fake news, offensive online content, and hate speech; as well as Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which addresses conduct amounting to domestic terrorism.
The DSS warned that both the author and the platform hosting the post are criminally liable, stressing that the comments amount to “misleading information, online harassment, and abuse.” It further described Sowore’s action as “a wilful attempt to promote an ideology capable of causing serious harm, inciting hate speech, creating disunity, and discrediting the President before the comity of nations.”
The Service said Facebook must act immediately to take down the post and all associated engagements. “This demand is unequivocal and carries clear consequences. Should you fail, neglect, or refuse to comply with this directive, the federal government will be compelled to take far-reaching, sweeping, and comprehensive measures through our organisation, which is mandated to address such criminal acts. Having made this official communication to you, 24 hours is sufficient to take the necessary action,” the DSS stated.
