The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning to Nigerians against using social media platforms to curse or harass government officials and others, describing such actions as cyberbullying, a punishable criminal offense.
The announcement was made on Friday by the Force Headquarters, emphasizing that online abuse, including direct curses, would no longer be tolerated.
Muyiwa Adejobi, the Chief Spokesperson for the police, clarified the position in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). He stated, “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not an expression of freedom or criticism. And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offense and punishable. Be guided.”
The police’s stance underscores a growing effort to regulate online behavior and protect individuals, including public officials, from targeted harassment. While some Nigerians have expressed concerns over potential misuse of such regulations, the Force insists its intention is to foster responsible online interactions and enforce existing cyber laws.
The statement serves as a reminder for citizens to exercise caution in their online engagements and highlights the potential legal consequences of cyberbullying.
