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DSS Asks Elon Musk to Gag Sowore’s X Account Over Criticism of Tinubu

Published

11 months ago

September 7, 2025

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has formally written to billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, demanding the shutdown of activist Omoyele Sowore’s X (formerly Twitter) account for comments critical of President Bola Tinubu.

A letter dated September 6, 2025, and addressed to Musk in his capacity as Chairman and CEO of X Corp., accused Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, of using his verified handle to push “misleading information, incitement to violence, hate speech, cybercrime, and disparagement of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The two-page document, signed by B. Bamigboye on behalf of the DSS Director General, cited an August 25 post where Sowore referred to President Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of lying during a trip to Brazil.

“This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!” Sowore had posted.

According to the DSS, such remarks amount to ridicule of the president and a “serious threat to national security.” The agency demanded that Musk enforce an “immediate and urgent ban/deactivation” of Sowore’s account and any affiliated handles within 24 hours. It warned that failure to comply could force Nigeria to impose “far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures” against X.

Reacting on Facebook, Sowore described the DSS request as “a national disgrace” and “an assault on institutions and common sense.”

“It came as no surprise to discover a ridiculously crafted letter from the DSS to X, demanding that my account be deactivated within 24 hours,” he wrote. “This brazenness is not only unconstitutional but also a desecration of national dignity.”

He accused the Tinubu government of hiding behind security agencies to persecute him, citing past arrests, travel restrictions, and a recent court case that branded him a “terrorism financier.”

“To export this shame to Twitter in the US shows how far Nigeria has sunk into the hands of its most incompetent and dysfunctional citizens,” he added, vowing that his activism would continue “with or without a Twitter account.”

Sowore’s clash with the DSS is not new. In 2019, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, he was arrested ahead of the #RevolutionNow protests, detained for months, denied bail, and restricted from traveling abroad despite multiple court rulings. He was charged with treason, but the case was dropped in 2023 when Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi entered a nolle prosequi, formally ending the trial.

Despite the discontinuation, Sowore insists that security agencies under Tinubu have continued to harass him — now extending the battle to Silicon Valley.

Culled from the People’s Gazette

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News

Defence Headquarters Social Media Account Hacked

Published

1 day ago

August 16, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The official social media page of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), 𝕏 to be precise, has been attacked by suspected hackers.

Naija News reports that the DHQ confirmed the development in a statement made public on Saturday, August 15, by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. General Samaila Uba.

He said the body has hence treated the incident as a cybersecurity matter, with technical measures activated to secure the account.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform members of the public, the media and all stakeholders that it has detected an attempted unauthorised compromise of its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“The incident is currently being treated as a cybersecurity matter, and appropriate technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access,” the statement noted.

The DHQ urged members of the public to disregard any publication from the account at the moment while ensuring that efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period,” he said.

Uba stressed the DHQ’s committment to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians continued to receive accurate, timely and credible information on the activities and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“We appreciate the understanding and vigilance of the public and will provide further updates as necessary,” he said.

He further urged Nigerians to henceforth check its verified accounts on other platforms, including Facebook under the name “Defence Headquarters Nigeria,” Instagram at @defenceheadquarters and its WhatsApp Channel, Defence Headquarters Nigeria for reliable information.

Source: naijanews.com

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News

Seven workers killed, 19 rescued in India tunnel accident

Published

3 days ago

August 14, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

At least seven workers were killed and 13 injured following a landslide that sent water and debris gushing into a tunnel under construction in north India, officials said Friday.

The incident occurred late Thursday in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project.

At least three workers are still missing, while 19 were rescued from the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation site, the State Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.

Videos shared by local authorities showed rescue workers equipped with head-mounted torches using makeshift rafts to reach the flooded section of the tunnel.

Uttarakhand has been battered by heavy monsoon rains in recent days.

Accidents on large construction sites are common in India, but ecologists say excessive development projects have led to more disasters in the fragile Himalayan areas.

Last month, 20 people working in a tunnel for another state-run hydroelectric project were killed in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.

In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days inside a tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand.

Hundreds of people have been killed in floods and landslides across the country since the start of the annual monsoon season in June.

Experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency, severity, and impact of the disasters.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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RATTAWU honours DSS DG for strategic intelligence, national security

Published

3 days ago

August 14, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, with the ‘Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award’, as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary

RATTAWU conferred the award on Ajayi on Thursday at his office, when the National President of the group, Emeka Kalu, led members to a media/security-critical engagement and strategic partnership meeting for national development in Abuja.

Kalu praised the appointment of Ajayi in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”

He added that the award was an initiative of the union designed to recognise individuals and institutions that had made outstanding contributions to national development, security, democracy, culture and the growth of Nigeria.

He said, “Your appointment by Mr President demonstrates the importance of placing capable Nigerians with integrity and professional competence in strategic positions of national responsibility.

“The role of the DSS in protecting Nigeria’s national interests, gathering critical intelligence and supporting national security cannot be overemphasised.

“Particularly now that this country is confronted with complex security and emerging technological challenges, appointments like yours are the best ever done by Mr President.

“That is why this union decided to honour you with the Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award.”

Responding, the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the leadership of RATTAWU for the honour.

Ajayi described the recognition as a significant gesture that would further encourage him and the service to remain committed to their responsibilities to the nation.

Source: punchng.com

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