The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has warned that cursing or using abusive language against individuals online is a criminal offense. He described such actions as cyberbullying, which is punishable under the law.
In a post shared on X.com on Friday, Adejobi explained that cyberbullying should not be mistaken for freedom of expression or constructive criticism.
He wrote, “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 offence and punishable. Be guided.”
The statement stirred reactions on social media, with many users expressing mixed opinions.
Felix Abayomi, tweeting as #felabayomi, questioned Adejobi’s stance, saying, “When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these laws.”
Another user, tweeting anonymously as #kingkhone4real, joked, “If that were the case, then all Nigerians should have been in prison by now.”
On the other hand, some users supported Adejobi’s position. A user with the handle #omoopee_ wrote, “You are absolutely right, sir; raining curses and engaging in cyberbullying is not freedom of expression but an act of harm. We must all learn to express ourselves responsibly.”
Cyberbullying has become a significant issue in Nigeria, particularly among adolescents. Studies indicate that approximately 39.8% of students have experienced cyberbullying, while 15% report being victims at least once or twice in recent months.
Several Nigerian celebrities have faced significant cyberbullying and online harassment, often resulting in public outcry and legal actions.
Toyin Abraham has been a target of cyberbullying, particularly after she publicly supported President Bola Tinubu during the recent elections. She also faced backlash after allegedly having a social media user arrested for defamation.
Footballer Alex Iwobi also faced cyberbullying in February following Nigeria’s loss in the Africa Cup of Nations. as fans directed their frustrations at him on social media.
