DSS Arrests Man in Rivers Over Social Media Posts Calling for Military Coup
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man identified as Innocent Chukwuma in Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly using his social media account to call on the Nigerian military to overthrow the current government.
Chukwuma, who operated under the handle @TheAgroman on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reportedly made a series of posts advocating a coup, describing it as “necessary” to “reset” Nigeria.
In one of his now-deleted posts, he wrote:
“A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
In another post, he stated:
“It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country.”
He further alleged that Nigeria’s leadership had “sold the country to the West” and accused the government of being under foreign influence, urging the military to intervene and “reset the nation.”
Following these posts, security operatives reportedly traced Chukwuma’s location to Oyigbo, near Port Harcourt, where he was apprehended without resistance. According to DSS sources, the suspect is currently in custody and cooperating with investigators.
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A security official familiar with the development, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the arrest followed “routine cyber monitoring and intelligence gathering” aimed at preventing threats to national stability.
“The suspect was tracked through his digital footprint. He openly used his personal account to incite the military against a democratically elected government. Such actions are considered a serious national security offense,” the source said.
The DSS has not yet issued an official statement regarding the arrest, but it is expected to release details after preliminary investigations.
Reactions Trail Arrest
The incident has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users condemning the calls for a coup as reckless and dangerous, while others criticized the government’s response as excessive.
Several commentators argued that while citizens have a constitutional right to express opinions, advocating for a military takeover violates Nigeria’s laws and undermines democratic governance. Others, however, questioned why the security agency acts swiftly on online speech but appears less effective in tackling banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency.
One online commentator wrote, “DSS can track down a man for a tweet but can’t locate terrorists who are abducting people in the same country.”
Another user, however, countered that national security cannot be compromised under the guise of free speech:
“No responsible nation allows citizens to call for the overthrow of an elected government. That’s not activism; it’s treason.”
Legal Context
Under Nigerian law, public statements or actions that incite the military to stage a coup or overthrow the government are punishable under the Criminal Code Act and Terrorism (Prevention) Act. The offense is treated as a threat to national security and carries severe penalties, including long-term imprisonment.
Analysts say the DSS’s quick response reflects heightened vigilance following recent coup attempts across parts of West Africa, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Security experts have repeatedly warned against the spread of “coup rhetoric” on Nigerian social media, noting that such calls—though often made by frustrated citizens—can destabilize public confidence in democratic institutions.
As of the time of this report, X has reportedly deactivated Chukwuma’s account for violating its policies on incitement and violent extremism.
The DSS is expected to complete its investigation before forwarding the case file to the Federal Ministry of Justice for legal advice and possible prosecution.