The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a man in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly using social media to call for a military takeover of the Nigerian government.
Gatekeepers News reports that the suspect, identified as Innocent Chukwuma, was apprehended in the Oyigbo area after reportedly posting a message on X (formerly Twitter) urging the military to suspend the current administration.
Part of the post read: “The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West, and they run our intelligence apparatus. Only the military can reset this country. Support them.”
According to DSS officials, the arrest followed intelligence monitoring of online activities deemed a threat to national security. The agency said Chukwuma’s statements violated Nigeria’s constitutional order and could attract prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act.
Security sources revealed that the suspect’s post referenced the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — a defence pact between the military regimes in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso — which had earlier withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after rejecting pressure to return to civilian rule.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether Chukwuma has links to any organised groups. His social media accounts have since been deactivated.
The arrest comes amid heightened public tension over unverified reports of an alleged coup plot involving some senior Nigerian military officers — claims that the Nigerian Army has dismissed as false, explaining that the affected officers were only facing internal disciplinary proceedings.
Nigeria has experienced several coups since independence, with the last successful one in 1993, when General Sani Abacha seized power. The country returned to democratic rule in 1999 and has since maintained civilian governance despite ongoing economic and security challenges.
Authorities have recently warned against sharing or amplifying pro-junta messages online, noting that such content could incite unrest. The DSS reaffirmed its commitment to identifying and neutralising activities that threaten national stability, urging citizens to use social media responsibly.
Chukwuma remains in DSS custody as investigations continue.
