The Nigerian Department of State Services (DSS) has escalated its pressure on activist Omoyele Sowore following his controversial post on Facebook.
In a formal letter dated September 7, 2025, the DSS has called on Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, to immediately deactivate Sowore’s Facebook account and remove his post, describing it as defamatory, misleading, and a direct threat to Nigeria’s national security.
The post in question, published on August 26, 2025, saw Sowore accusing President Bola Tinubu of dishonesty. In his post, he wrote, “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!”
The statement, according to the DSS, disparages the president and has sparked political tension across the country, both online and offline.
The DSS, in its letter to Meta, highlighted that the post was not only misleading but also intended to discredit the president and sow division. The agency alleges that Sowore’s words could incite violence, cybercrime, and hate speech, and may even threaten Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.
“The post has crossed the boundaries of acceptable behaviour,” the letter reads, adding that it violates several Nigerian laws, including Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, which forbids the publication of false information. Furthermore, the DSS referenced provisions from the Cybercrimes Act 2025, which makes it an offence to spread fake news, post offensive content, or incite hatred.
The Nigerian government has made it clear that it holds both Sowore and Meta accountable for the post. The DSS claims that under Nigerian law, both the individual responsible for the post and the platform distributing it can be held criminally liable. The agency has given Meta 24 hours to take action, demanding the removal of the post, its shares, and a ban on Sowore’s account. Failure to comply, the DSS warned, will lead to “far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures.”
This is not the first time Sowore has faced scrutiny from the Nigerian government. Earlier this week, the DSS had sent a similar petition to X Corporation (formerly Twitter) over a tweet by Sowore, further escalating the ongoing battle between the activist and the Nigerian authorities.
As the deadline for Meta to comply approaches, the international tech giant faces mounting pressure from the Nigerian government to act on the claims made by the DSS. Should Meta fail to adhere to the demands, it could result in significant legal consequences and potentially affect its operations in Nigeria.
The controversy highlights the increasing tension between the Nigerian government and social media platforms regarding content moderation and the spread of information online. While Sowore’s supporters argue that the post is a legitimate expression of dissent, the government contends that it poses a direct threat to national security and the reputation of the country.
As of now, Meta has yet to respond publicly to the DSS’s letter.
