The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has issued a stern call to action for Nigeria’s state governments, demanding an immediate end to the harassment and arbitrary arrest of citizens for their online commentary.
During a press conference held on Friday, the 19th of December, 2025, focused on digital rights at the sub-national level, the organization labeled the current trend of silencing digital expression a significant threat to the nation’s democratic fabric.
Ali Sabo, CITAD’s Digital Rights Lead, emphasized that while the 1999 Constitution does not explicitly name modern technologies, the responsibility to protect citizens’ rights including those exercised online extends across all tiers of government.
As digital tools become central to health, education, and civic engagement, CITAD argues that state governments can no longer remain passive observers regarding digital protections.
“Digital technologies now underpin many areas of life that fall under the concurrent legislative list. This means state governments have a responsibility not just to use ICTs, but also to protect the digital rights of citizens,” the lead said.
The organization’s latest Policy Brief reveals a troubling surge in state-level intimidation. Over the last six months, CITAD has documented numerous cases across Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, and Kwara States where law enforcement was allegedly used to stifle criticism of political figures.
Documented Cases of Suppression: Jigawa: Comrade Abiyo Roni was detained after questioning a local government chairman’s empowerment program.
Kwara: Blogger Ajala Adeshina Shuaib faced arrest following a critical post regarding a senator.
Kano: Multiple incidents were recorded, including the arrest of Zakariyya Kabeer Gwagwarwa, a serving corps member.
Reflecting on these trends, Sabo noted: “These are not isolated cases. They show a growing culture of intolerance to criticism, abuse of power, and the use of law enforcement agencies to silence dissent, especially at the grassroots,” he said.
CITAD also highlighted the dangers of digital illiteracy among the public, citing cases where the non-consensual sharing of images led to severe emotional trauma. One minor was forced to leave school after a video of her was shared without permission, while a woman in Kano discovered her likeness being used for commercial advertisements without her consent.
The organization expressed particular alarm over the safety of women and girls, noting that several young women have lost their lives following social media interactions. Unfortunately, these issues are often ignored by authorities.
“Most capacity-building efforts are concentrated in Abuja and Lagos, leaving state and local actors poorly equipped to investigate, prosecute or adjudicate digital rights cases,” Sabo said.
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The organization insists that ICT tools must be used for empowerment rather than surveillance or revenue. They are calling for a three-layered policy reform: Adapting federal digital rights and data protection policies for state use, creating state-level frameworks for emerging tech like Artificial Intelligence and aligning existing state laws with global digital standards.
In a final appeal to the authorities, Sabo urged: “Specifically, we call on state governments to stop arresting citizens for expressing opinions online; to invest in training judges, lawyers, and police officers on digital rights laws; and to update state regulations in line with global best practices.
“We urge law enforcement agencies to comply with digital rights standards in their operations and to respect the Nigeria Data Protection Act when handling personal data,” he said.