CITAD condemns detention of two Nigerians over social media commentary
Kola Oyelere Kano
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The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has condemned the continued detention of two Nigerians, Sani Waspapping and Abubakar Adamu, by the Department of State Services (DSS) over social media comments related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In a statement dated March 14, 2026 and signed by its Executive Director, Y.Z. Ya’u, the organization expressed deep concern over what it described as a growing pattern of actions targeting individuals for expressing opinions online.
According to CITAD, credible reports indicate that one of the detainees is currently facing prosecution on what the organization described as questionable charges
The group also said it had received reports that several other individuals who expressed critical views about the policies of the United States and Israel had been invited or summoned by the DSS for questioning.
CITAD said such actions raise serious concerns about the protection of freedom of expression in Nigeria, noting that Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to hold opinions and to receive and share information without interference.
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The organization argued that criticism of the policies of any government—whether domestic or foreign—falls within the scope of protected speech and should not be criminalized.
CITAD warned that equating criticism of the policies of the United States or Israel with incitement could undermine democratic freedoms and shrink civic space in the country.
It added that such measures risk creating a climate of fear that discourages citizens from freely expressing views on matters of public interest.
The group said it was particularly worried about the implications for digital rights and online civic engagement, stressing that targeting individuals over views expressed on social media could set a troubling precedent for freedom of expression in Nigeria.
CITAD therefore urged the DSS to respect the constitutional rights of citizens and avoid actions that could weaken legally protected freedoms.
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The organization also called on Nigerian authorities to ensure that security agencies operate strictly within the bounds of the law and respect the country’s obligations under both the Constitution and international human rights frameworks.
“Nigeria must remain a country where citizens can freely express their opinions without fear of intimidation, harassment, or arbitrary detention,” the statement added.