Amnesty International Slams DSS for Crackdown on Nigerians Criticizing US and Israel Amid Middle East War

 Amnesty International has sharply criticized Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) for what it calls an escalating and reckless clampdown on social media users commenting on the ongoing war in the Middle East, particularly those voicing criticism of the United States and Israel.

In a statement released Thursday and shared widely on its official channels, Amnesty International Nigeria expressed deep concern over reports of arrests, detentions, and so-called "invitations" by the DSS targeting individuals for their online posts about the conflict. The rights group highlighted that at least two people both from Kaduna have been detained in connection with their views on the Israel-US military actions against Iran. One case involves a social media influencer known as Sani Waspapping (also referred to as Sarki or @Waspapping_), arrested on March 6 and held without access to family or legal counsel. Amnesty described his detention as arbitrary and a violation of fundamental rights.

The organization pointed to a pattern of repression, noting that equating criticism of American or Israeli government policies with incitement represents a dangerous distortion of facts. "These targeted acts of repression undermine trust in the neutrality of state institutions and create a toxic climate of fear," the statement read. It stressed that such actions lack legal justification under international human rights law and send a chilling message that peaceful dissent even on foreign policy issues is not tolerated in Nigeria.

Amnesty urged Nigerian authorities to immediately cease these violations, uphold freedom of expression online, and either charge detainees in fair proceedings or release them without delay. The group emphasized Nigeria's obligations to protect human rights, including the right to express opinions freely, regardless of whether they align with official positions.

The crackdown appears tied to heightened public discourse around the Middle East conflict, which has intensified since late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Social media in Nigeria has seen vocal support for Palestine and Iran, alongside condemnations of perceived Western aggression, with some northern communities organizing protests or sharing critical content. Reports suggest the DSS views certain posts as potential security risks, including claims that inflammatory online rhetoric could draw Nigeria into broader geopolitical tensions.

Human rights advocates and online commentators have rallied around the affected individuals. Activist Omoyele Sowore publicly condemned the arrests as shocking and unlawful, linking them directly to anti-Netanyahu or pro-Iran sentiments. Broader discussions on platforms like X and Facebook question why domestic security agencies are prioritizing foreign policy critiques over local issues like insecurity and economic hardship.

The DSS has not issued a detailed public response to Amnesty's allegations, though in related court filings involving similar cases, officials have argued that specific posts pose national security threats, including risks of incitement or escalation. One operative reportedly claimed a single tweet could endanger the entire country by provoking wider conflict.

This development revives longstanding concerns about freedom of expression in Nigeria, where security agencies have faced repeated accusations of overreach in monitoring dissent whether domestic or international. Amnesty's intervention comes amid its ongoing campaigns to safeguard online speech and protect critics from arbitrary detention.

As the Middle East war continues to dominate global headlines with implications for oil prices, regional stability, and humanitarian crises Nigerians remain divided on the issue. Many express solidarity with affected populations abroad, while others worry that heavy-handed responses at home could stifle legitimate debate and erode public trust in institutions.