Netizens accuse DSS of failing to catch terrorists, but alert in tracking social media user
By Habiba Kaita
The Department of State Services (DSS) has come under fire from Nigerians after arresting Innocent Chukwuma, a social media user accused of calling for a military coup against President Bola Tinubu.
Chukwuma was arrested in Oyigbo, Rivers State, after he allegedly posted on his X (formerly Twitter) profile @TheAgroman urging the military to overthrow the government and join the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is a group formed in 2023 by the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These countries created the alliance after being suspended from ECOWAS because of military coups. The AES was set up to help one another with security, defense, and development, and to stand against what they see as foreign control or interference.
In his post, he reportedly wrote, “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now… Only the military can reset this country. Support them.”
Although the DSS says his post threatened national security, many Nigerians have questioned the agency’s priorities.
Critics argue that the swift arrest shows the DSS has the technology and intelligence to locate criminals but chooses to focus on public criticism instead. Others, however, supported the agency’s action, saying calls for a coup are dangerous and could destabilize the country further.
One X (formally Twitter) user wrote, @indigenous234 wrote, “So the DSS has the tools to Identify, trace and locate supposedly anonymous handles on social media but TikTok is replete with videos of our Senior Citizens flaunting kidnap largesse with reckless abandon?”
Another user @AdelekeSam_Seun shared a similar opinion, tweeting, “I want you all that do say critics are being arrested but kidnappers do not. Critics don’t hide in the forest to commit treason but kidnappers do, they hide in the forest, uses GPS jammers and other gadget to escape been caught. This is just the difference.”
The DSS has not released an official statement on Chukwuma’s arrest, but he remains in custody as investigations continue.
