The Department of State Services (DSS) has demanded the immediate suspension and deactivation of the X account belonging to activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, accusing him of spreading false information capable of inciting unrest and threatening national security.
In a letter dated September 6, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of X Corp. in Bastrop County, Texas, the Service gave the social media platform 24 hours to comply.
The letter, signed by B. Bamigboye on behalf of the Director-General of the DSS, referenced a post made by Sowore on August 25, 2025, via his verified handle, @YeleSowore.
In the post, Sowore 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 DSS described the remark as a direct attack on the President through his official channel, @officialABAT, noting that it had “attracted widespread condemnation” and sparked protests among supporters of the President, thereby heightening political tension.
According to the Service, Sowore’s post contravened provisions of Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2025, as well as the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“It is not in doubt that the words employed by Mr. Omoyele Sowore amount to misleading information, online harassment and abuse, hate speech, and an attempt to cause disunity, discredit the President, and damage Nigeria’s image within the comity of nations,” the letter stated.
The DSS ordered X Corp. to “immediately take down the tweet and its attendant retweets” and demanded the suspension of Sowore’s verified account alongside any other accounts he operates.
“This demand is unequivocal with its attendant consequence. Should you fail, neglect, or refuse to comply, the Department of State Services will be compelled to take far-reaching measures through our organization, whose mandate covers such criminal acts,” the letter warned.
The DSS shared the correspondence on Sunday via its official handle, @OfficialDSSNG.
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