In an age where information travels faster than light, social media has emerged as a double-edged sword—often misused, but also powerfully effective in exposing the darkest corners of society. In Nigeria, social media platforms like Twitter (now X), Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp have become lifelines for citizens to speak truth to power, unveil hidden atrocities, and demand justice.
From exposing corrupt government dealings to spotlighting cases of police brutality, ritual killings, and community massacres, social media has become the modern-day watchdog. It is no longer the exclusive domain of traditional journalists or whistleblowers. Today, a market woman with a smartphone can capture injustice in real time and ignite a nationwide conversation that forces action.
The role of social media in exposing atrocities
Social media has played an instrumental role in exposing atrocities across Nigeria. A glaring example was the #EndSARS protest in 2020—a youth-led movement that gained international attention due to the brutalities of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Traditional media, often silenced or restricted, hesitated to report the full scope of the atrocities, but social media kept the truth alive. Videos, live broadcasts, and viral hashtags carried raw evidence of abuse that could no longer be buried.
In recent times, the same platforms have served as critical sources of information and mourning in the wake of Fulani herdsmen attacks in places like Jos (Plateau State), Benue, Southern Kaduna, and parts of Nasarawa and Taraba States. These deadly attacks—often under-reported or downplayed in the mainstream media—are being brought to light through eyewitness accounts, video clips, and disturbing images shared online. Entire communities have cried out for help via social media, begging the world to see what is happening and intervene.
In March 2024, villages in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs in Plateau State witnessed gruesome killings, with dozens dead and hundreds displaced. Around the same time, several communities in Benue State were attacked, with farmers slaughtered and houses razed. While local media outlets hesitated or faced political pressure, it was social media that amplified the voices of survivors, shared uncensored photos of the carnage, and forced the issue into public consciousness.
Why the political elite and power holders fear it
The fear Nigerian politicians and some evil power holders harbor toward social media is not unfounded. It is the fear of exposure, of losing control over a narrative they once monopolised. These elites often thrive in secrecy, where manipulation and intimidation go unchallenged. But social media has changed the game—now the people have a voice, and that voice echoes loudly.
A striking and concerning development came in April 16, 2025, when the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, one of the most influential religious leaders in the country, referred to social media as a “terrorist organisation.” Speaking at the 7th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held in Maiduguri, Borno State, highlighting its involvement in disseminating misinformation and fueling unrest. The monarch urged security agencies to regard social media platforms with the same level of seriousness as other national security threats.
This declaration, though symbolic, sent shockwaves through civil society. Equating a tool of public discourse with terrorism is not only dangerous—it lays the groundwork for the justification of state repression. It delegitimises the struggles of ordinary Nigerians who use these platforms to cry out against injustice, and emboldens authoritarian elements who wish to criminalise digital dissent.
Statements like these deepen the existing hostility toward social media among the ruling class and help normalise the idea that free expression should be policed, punished, or outright eliminated. If a religious authority with millions of followers can tag digital activism as terrorism, what stops state actors from silencing voices under the same pretext?
There have already been attempts by the Nigerian government to control or suppress social media under the guise of “regulation.” From the suspension of Twitter in 2021 to legislative proposals like the Social Media Bill, the pattern is clear: those in power are deeply uncomfortable with being held accountable in real-time.
Some of the reasons for this push include:
1. Fear of Accountability: With citizens able to document and expose misconduct, political officials are under more pressure to explain their actions—or inaction.
2. Loss of Narrative Control: Before social media, the government could easily manage public perception through state-controlled media. Now, a viral post can disrupt an entire PR campaign.
3. Exposure of Hidden Atrocities: From election rigging to police killings and community massacres, social media pulls back the curtain on activities that thrive in darkness.
4. Empowerment of Citizens: The democratisation of information means even the poorest Nigerians can participate in national discourse, something that threatens elitist strongholds.
The battle for free expression
The desire to suppress social media is a dangerous sign. It represents a fear of truth, a war against transparency, and a threat to democracy. While it is true that social media can be misused to spread fake news or incite violence, the solution is not censorship—but digital literacy, responsible use, and better engagement by those in power.
Nigeria must resist the urge to silence social media, or we risk returning to an era where evil thrives unchecked, and the only stories told are those approved by the oppressors.
Conclusion
Social media is not perfect—but it is powerful. It has given Nigerians a fighting voice in a society where corruption, ritualism, and injustice are too often swept under the rug. From the blood-soaked fields of Benue to the grieving families of Plateau state, the pain and cries for justice are carried across the nation on digital wings.
Instead of seeking to kill it, our leaders should listen to the voices it carries. For in that cloud of tweets, posts, and videos lies the heartbeat of a nation crying for justice.
