The Nigeria Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has described “cyber-cursing” as a punishable offence.
Adejobi stated in a Friday post on X.com that targeting someone with harsh and abusive language online goes beyond the realm of free expression or criticism.
He wrote, “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not expression of freedom or criticism.
“And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.”
Reacting to Adejobi’s post on X, Felix Abayomi, tweeting as #felabayomi, wrote, “When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these laws.”
Another user, tweeting anonymously as #kingkhone4real, replied, “If that were the case, then all Nigerians should have been in prison by now.”
However, #omoopee_ supported Adejobi’s stance, saying, “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.”