In the age of real-time news and viral content, social media has become a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it provides everyday citizens with the power to report events, expose injustice, and rally support for important causes. On the other, it opens the door for misinformation, incitement, and even legal trouble—especially when reporting sensitive issues like insecurity.
While reporting what’s happening in your community is not a crime, how you do it can make the difference between civic duty and criminal liability.
The Bakori Example: Responsible Reporting Without Instigation
In Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, a group of concerned citizens gathered at the scene of a disturbing security incident. They weren’t armed. They didn’t chant slogans. They weren’t holding placards. What they had were smartphones—and a strong desire to draw attention to what was happening in their community.
One of them, holding his phone vertically, went live on Facebook. The tone of the video was measured. He narrated what happened, showing the roads, the mood of residents, and pleading with authorities to act. He did not insult any official. He did not call for protests. The goal was simple: raise awareness.
But what followed was not what they expected.
Later that evening, as calm began to return to the community, whispers began to circulate: someone had allegedly reported to the security forces that these young men were the ones who “organized the unrest.” That they were using social media to instigate people against the government. One of them was specifically accused of being the “mastermind.” All because he went live.
Road Blocked by Protesters in Bakori
This kind of twist isn’t new. Across Nigeria, as more citizens turn to social media to report what they see or experience, the line between “civic engagement” and “instigation” has grown dangerously thin. A line that, if crossed—even unintentionally—can land a person in real trouble.
The Case of Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif: When Advocacy Backfires
In Sokoto, another sobering example unfolded in 2023. Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif, a vocal social commentator and youth advocate, took to social media to condemn a rape incident involving a minor. Her tone was empathetic. She demanded justice for the victim and called on the authorities to prosecute the perpetrators swiftly.
But the reaction she got wasn’t justice—it was backlash.
Her advocacy was misrepresented as “mobilization against the government.” She was invited by law enforcement agents and interrogated as though she had incited unrest. Threats followed. She was cyberbullied, falsely accused of harboring political motives, and eventually forced to deactivate her Facebook account temporarily.
Hamdiyya’s case is just one of many. Her only “crime” was caring too loudly on the internet.
The Ghali Isma’il Case: A Clear Legal Breach
In July 2025, a content creator named Ghali Isma’il posted on TikTok via the handle @bola_asiwaju, falsely claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had died after a serious illness. The video spread rapidly online.
Security operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested him. He was arraigned in a magistrate court in Abuja on charges of:
1. Spreading fake news with the intent to cause public alarm, and
2. Inciting hatred against the government.
The court denied him bail and ordered that he be remanded in prison until the next hearing in August.
This case is a sobering reminder that social media is not a free-for-all zone. There are limits—and laws—that govern what can be said, especially when it involves national security or public order.
Other Examples Around Nigeria
In one southern city, a university student once tweeted a photo of a flooded road and tagged the state governor, asking why nothing had been done to fix the drainages. By the next morning, his post had gone viral. But it also earned him a visit from plainclothes men who accused him of trying to “embarrass the government.”
In the North-East, a school teacher posted pictures of burnt classrooms after a bandit attack. Her intention was to call for government support in rebuilding. But she received a query from her employer, warning her that her post could be interpreted as “discrediting government efforts.”
And in Bakori, as we’ve seen, a simple attempt to calm tensions and bring attention to victims of violence was almost twisted into a narrative of sabotage.
Commuters Stranded When Protesters Blocked Road in Bakori
Why Does This Happen?
First, political rivalry. In highly polarized environments, any action—even one driven by concern—can be interpreted through a partisan lens. If you are known to lean toward one political camp, your every move is viewed with suspicion by the other.
Second, a lack of understanding of digital rights. While citizens have a constitutional right to freedom of expression, many are unaware of how to exercise that right responsibly, especially online. And they don't realize that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute. In other words, your right to swing your fist ends where someone else's nose begins.
Third, weak institutional tolerance for criticism. Some authorities see every complaint, no matter how polite, as a challenge to their power rather than a call for improvement.
How to Report Security Issues Without Falling into Trouble
So how do you, as a citizen, speak out without being misunderstood—or worse, criminalized?
1. Be Factual, Not Emotional
Stick to what you saw or heard. Don’t speculate. Avoid emotional language that could be interpreted as provocative. Instead of “the government has failed us,” say “residents say they need urgent help.”
2. Avoid Personal Attacks
Don’t mention officials by name unless absolutely necessary—and even then, stay respectful. Focus on the issue, not personalities.
3. Acknowledge Efforts
If authorities have made any effort—no matter how small—mention it. It shows fairness and reduces the impression of bias or sabotage.
4. Don’t Join Unlawful Gatherings
If a peaceful gathering starts to escalate—people blocking roads, confronting police—leave immediately. Even being present can be misinterpreted.
5. Document Wisely
If you record videos or go live, make sure your tone is calm and your message clear. Say upfront: “This is for awareness, not to incite anyone.”
The Law Is Watching—So Should You
Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015 is very clear:
It is an offense to use digital platforms to incite violence or spread false information.
Defamation—damaging someone’s reputation without proof—is punishable.
Causing panic or public unrest through online posts, even if unintentionally, can be prosecuted.
In addition, the Criminal Code and Penal Code also prohibit statements capable of causing breach of peace or inciting disaffection against the government.
The law is not interested in your intentions; it judges your actions and the consequences. That is why digital caution is not cowardice—it is wisdom.
Final Thoughts: Speak Up, But Wisely
We must not be silent in the face of injustice or insecurity. But we must also be strategic in how we speak up. A 30-second video, if misinterpreted, can ruin years of work and reputation. A well-meaning tweet can be twisted into a legal case if not carefully worded.
Let’s build a digital culture that encourages responsible reporting, rewards truth, and respects decorum. Let us also demand tolerance and fairness from our institutions. After all, government is not above scrutiny—and citizens are not enemies of the state simply for asking questions.
If we want a better society, we must learn how to report its problems without becoming victims of our own advocacy.
Let the truth be told. But let it be told wisely.
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