The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has stirred intense debate and widespread reactions across social media and traditional platforms following his recent remarks labelling social media as a ‘terrorist organisation.’ The revered traditional leader made these comments during a formal public address, where he called on Nigerian security operatives to adopt stringent measures against what he termed the dangerous and destabilising threats posed by social media activities in the country.
A video capturing the Sultan’s address was shared by News Central, quickly gaining traction online and drawing both support and criticism from Nigerians. In the footage, the Sultan voiced strong disapproval of the role social media platforms have increasingly played in the dissemination of false information, incitement of public unrest, and fuelling of tensions within communities.
In his words, the Sultan remarked: “What happened has happened. You cannot come and be doing social media because that is one terrorist organisation.” He pointed out that the ease with which individuals, hidden behind screens in the privacy of their homes, can fabricate, publish, and widely circulate unverified or outrightly false narratives makes social media a powerful tool for sowing discord and spreading misinformation.
The Sultan further lamented the unchecked spread of baseless and harmful content capable of disrupting societal peace and misleading the public. “Social media is a terrorist organisation. What they do; somebody will sit down in his comfort zone and formulate stories, and you will discover that it is not true,” he added, highlighting the growing concern over the lack of accountability on digital platforms.
Reiterating his position, the Sultan called for urgent, decisive action from the nation’s security agencies to confront what he perceives as a dangerous menace. He urged them to take concrete steps in curbing the influence of social media, which he described as posing significant security and moral risks to the fabric of Nigerian society.
“So, social media is a terrorist organisation that we must deal with. Security agencies must deal with this terrorist organisation called social media,” he declared emphatically.
His statement has since generated diverse reactions, with some supporting his views on the dangers of fake news and online incitement, while others criticised his comments as an attack on freedom of expression and digital rights in a democratic society.