DSS Under Fire as Amnesty International Opposes Attempt to Silence Sowore on X

The Department of State Services (DSS) has come under fire from Amnesty International over an alleged attempt to silence activist Omoyele Sowore on X (formerly Twitter).

According to Amnesty International, the DSS reportedly demanded that X remove a post by Sowore that was critical of President Bola Tinubu. The rights group described the move as a brazen attempt to censor dissenting voices and instill fear in Nigeria’s online civic space.

In a statement shared on X, Amnesty International said,“The DSS targeting of Sowore’s X account is being done without any legal justification, as recognized under international human rights law.”

The watchdog stressed that the demand violates Nigeria’s obligations under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee freedom of expression and privacy.

Amnesty International further called on the Nigerian government to withdraw the request immediately and stop infringing on citizens’ digital rights. The group also urged X not to comply with government pressure, emphasizing its responsibility to protect free speech and safeguard the voices of activists.

“Nigerian authorities must refrain from violating human rights online, including the rights to freedom of expression and privacy, and must fulfil their constitutional and international obligations,” Amnesty stated.

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