The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged Nigerian state governments to stop arresting citizens for expressing their opinions online. The group stressed that freedom of speech is a fundamental right that should be respected by authorities.
CITAD highlighted that online expression plays a crucial role in holding government officials accountable and fostering public debate. The organisation warned that penalizing citizens for social media posts undermines democratic principles and violates human rights.
The advocacy group called on law enforcement agencies to focus on genuine security threats instead of targeting individuals for opinions that do not incite violence or pose risks to public safety. CITAD also encouraged citizens to exercise responsible online engagement while urging governments to uphold digital freedoms.
According to CITAD, respecting citizens’ online rights is essential for democracy, innovation, and national development. The group stressed that governments should implement policies that protect free expression instead of suppressing it.
