When Online Posts Become Fatal: Exposing the dark side of social media in Nigeria, by Martha Gwary
Social media has become one of the most powerful tools for communication in modern Nigeria, shaping political debate, exposing insecurity and giving citizens a voice once denied them.
Yet beneath its promise lies a growing and troubling danger: the ability of online posts to expose individuals to real-world violence, intimidation and, in extreme cases, death.
In recent years, several Nigerians have been traced, targeted and killed after expressing views or being accused of making comments on social media platforms, particularly on issues relating to politics, religion and national security.
What begins as a post, comment or message online has, in some instances, ended in bloodshed.
The Rising Menace
The growing pattern of people being targeted after their online posts should deeply concern a nation that claims commitment to democracy and human rights.
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Across the country, individuals who speak openly on politics, religion and security are discovering that the digital space is no longer separate from physical reality. A comment made in a WhatsApp group, a post on Facebook, or a video uploaded online can expose a person’s identity, location and beliefs to hostile actors willing to act violently.
When Online Speech Turns Fatal
The lynching of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto State in 2022 remains one of the most chilling examples. An alleged comment in a private messaging group was enough to provoke mob violence that ended her life.
That such brutality could be triggered by a digital exchange exposed the lethal consequences of unchecked intolerance amplified by social media.
Ifeanyi Chukwu-Agah Benedict, known online as Abuja Area Mama, was a popular social media personality and LGBTQ+ activist.
After posting videos online, she was found beaten and stabbed to death along a highway in Abuja in August 2024.
Her murder remains unsolved, but the case highlights how visibility — especially of marginalised voices — can be dangerous in contexts where hostility and prejudice are widespread.
Political Rivalry
Political expression has also become increasingly perilous. Journalists, activists and ordinary citizens who criticise political leaders or speak about insecurity often face threats, harassment and physical intimidation. In some cases, online criticism has been followed by real-world attacks, forcing many voices into silence.
Warning By Experts
Security analysts warn that social media has evolved into a powerful intelligence tool for both state and non-state actors.
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Criminal gangs, political thugs and extremist groups actively monitor online platforms for information that can help them identify, trace or intimidate perceived opponents.
According to digital security experts, casual sharing of location data, identifiable landmarks, daily routines and personal networks creates digital footprints that can easily be exploited.
In a country battling insurgency, banditry and political violence, such exposure can be deadly.
Civil society organisations also warn that the fear of violent reprisals is shrinking civic space faster than legislation ever could. Many Nigerians now practise self-censorship, not because of the law, but out of fear for their lives.
A Persistent Threat
Nigeria’s fragile security environment, coupled with deep ethnic, religious and political divisions, has made online discourse particularly volatile.
Inflammatory posts, hate speech and misinformation spread rapidly, often without verification or consequence. Once such content goes viral, it can inflame tensions, provoke reprisals and legitimise violence.
Compounding the problem is weak content moderation by social media companies, which struggle to understand local languages, contexts and sensitivities.
At the same time, government intervention has largely focused on regulation and punishment, often perceived as targeting dissent rather than addressing incitement and online violence.
This imbalance has left citizens exposed — poorly protected from violent actors, yet constrained by laws that do little to guarantee their safety.
Way Forward
Nigeria must urgently rethink how it approaches digital expression and safety.
Protecting freedom of speech must go hand in hand with protecting lives.
This begins with widespread public education on digital safety, teaching users to understand the risks of overexposure and careless posting.
Social media companies must also be held accountable for stronger, context-aware moderation, particularly around hate speech and incitement to violence.
Platforms cannot continue to profit from engagement while ignoring the real-world harm their systems enable.
Government, for its part, must resist the temptation to weaponise regulation against critics.
Instead, laws should clearly distinguish between legitimate expression and speech that directly incites violence, while ensuring swift justice for those who threaten or attack others over online content.
Social media is not inherently deadly. But in a divided and insecure society, unchecked hostility, misinformation and digital recklessness can turn words into weapons.
If Nigerians continue to retreat into silence for fear of being targeted, the nation’s democracy will suffer a slow but profound erosion.
A society where speaking out is dangerous is not a safe society. Until Nigeria confronts the real dangers of digital exposure with honesty, balance and responsibility, free speech will continue to carry an unacceptable cost — and sometimes, a fatal one.
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