Amnesty International Slams DSS for Attempt to Censor Omoyele Sowore on X

Amnesty International has condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly demanding the removal of a social media account by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, calling the move a blatant attempt to silence dissent and stifle free expression in Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, shortly after the DSS wrote to X Corporation demanding a ban on Sowore’s account, the global human rights organisation revealed that social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) had notified Sowore of the DSS’s request, which Amnesty described as “shocking” and “brazen.”

“The DSS must immediately withdraw its shocking demand to X for the removal of human rights defender Omoyele Sowore’s post critical of President Bola Tinubu,” the organisation said. “This brazen attempt to silence critical voices and generate a climate of fear on Nigeria’s social media space must not be allowed to stand.”

Amnesty International noted that the attempt to deactivate Sowore’s account on X lacked any legal justification under both Nigerian and international law. The group highlighted that such actions violate Nigeria’s obligations under the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—all of which Nigeria is a party to.

Describing the DSS’s actions as an “outrageous abuse of power,” Amnesty called on the Nigerian government to respect citizens’ digital rights, including freedom of expression and privacy.

“Authorities must refrain from violating human rights online and fulfil their constitutional and international human rights obligations,” the statement added.

The agency also urged X to resist pressure from the Nigerian government and stand firm in protecting the voices of activists and users.

“X must not yield to censorship demands of the Nigerian government, through targeting of the voices of activists, and must do all in its power to protect freedom of expression on its platform.”