DSS Arrests Man in Rivers for Calling for Military Coup on Social Media

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man in Port Harcourt for allegedly using social media to advocate a military takeover of the government.

The suspect, identified as Innocent Chukwuma, was picked up in the Oyigbo area of Rivers State after reportedly posting a message on X (formerly Twitter) calling for a coup and urging the military to suspend the current administration.

Part of the post read: “The man in Aso Rock has sold this country to the West. Only the military can reset Nigeria. Support them.”

According to DSS officials, the arrest followed intelligence tracking of online activities deemed a threat to national security. The agency noted that the suspect’s actions violated Nigeria’s constitutional order and may attract prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act.

Chukwuma’s post reportedly referenced the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — a defense pact between the military regimes in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso — which cut ties with ECOWAS earlier this year after resisting pressure to restore civilian rule.

Security sources disclosed that investigations are ongoing to determine whether Chukwuma has any connection to organised groups. His social media accounts have since been deactivated.

The arrest comes amid heightened public tension following unconfirmed reports of an alleged coup plot involving senior military officers.

Earlier this month, President Bola Tinubu reshuffled the national security leadership, including the National Security Adviser and heads of key security agencies. The army has since dismissed the coup reports, describing them as false and clarifying that the officers in question were only undergoing internal disciplinary reviews.

Nigeria, which last experienced a coup in 1993 under General Sani Abacha, returned to civilian rule in 1999 and has remained under democratic governance despite ongoing economic and security challenges.

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Authorities have recently warned against sharing pro-junta messages online, saying such content could incite unrest. The DSS reaffirmed its commitment to tracking and preventing actions capable of undermining national stability, urging citizens to use social media responsibly.

The country continues to grapple with inflation above 30 percent, rising unemployment, and insecurity in several regions. The federal government has promised reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and rebuilding public trust.

Chukwuma remains in DSS custody as investigations continue.