DSS Demands Facebook Remove Sowore’s Posts Targeting Tinubu

The Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria has formally requested that Facebook remove posts made by activist Omoyele Sowore that are critical of President Bola Tinubu. The DSS issued this directive following Sowore’s August 26, 2025, Facebook publication, which the agency described as disparaging and harmful. The DSS has given Facebook a 24-hour timeframe to comply with the removal request.

In a letter signed by Uwem Davies, the DSS highlighted that it had monitored Sowore’s post, which ridiculed President Tinubu, and expressed concern over its potential to incite unrest. The letter, titled “Re: Misleading Information and Wilful Intention to Further an Ideology Capable of Serious Harm,” condemned the content as a threat to national security.

The DSS emphasized that the post has sparked widespread condemnation among Nigerians and has contributed to rising tensions both online and offline. It stated, “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!” This sentiment reflects the agency’s view that Sowore’s remarks undermine the President’s reputation and damage Nigeria’s image internationally.

The letter outlined specific legal frameworks that Sowore’s post allegedly violates. According to the DSS, the content contravenes Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, which prohibits the publication of false information. It also cited sections of the Cybercrimes Act 2025 that criminalize the dissemination of misleading or offensive content, particularly when intended to humiliate others or provoke social discord.

The DSS articulated that Sowore’s statements constitute online harassment and misleading information. The agency stated that such actions promote ideologies that could incite violence and disunity, presenting a significant threat to national security. The letter also warned that both Sowore and the platform could face legal consequences if the post remains accessible.

In its demand to Facebook, the DSS insisted on the urgency and seriousness of the situation, indicating that failure to remove the post would lead the federal government to take “far-reaching, sweeping, and comprehensive measures.” The letter concluded by reiterating that the corporation must act within 24 hours to avoid legal repercussions.

The DSS’s intervention highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s political landscape, where social media plays a critical role in shaping public discourse. As the situation unfolds, the implications of such governmental actions on freedom of expression and the dynamics of political criticism in Nigeria remain to be seen.