Group petitions Police, DSS over hate campaign against Nollywood actors, Islam

The Islamic Training Organization of Nigeria has petitioned the Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun states, as well as the Directors of the Department of State Services in both states, over an alleged cyberbullying, hate speech and religious intolerance targeted at Muslims on social media.  

This was contained in a statement shared with The Eagleonline, on Tuesday.

The organisation, under the leadership of its National Missioner, Sheikh Uwais Luqman Olanrewaju, said the petition, which seeks urgent and proactive intervention from security agencies, became necessary following the recent online attacks directed at Nollywood actors  Adedimeji and Adebimpe Oyebade after the announcement of the birth of their triplets.  

Rather than celebrating the arrival of the children, several social media users reportedly mocked the Islamic names given to the babies, triggering outrage among Muslim groups and advocates of religious tolerance. 

ITOON described the attacks as disturbing and inhumane, noting that innocent children became targets of ridicule simply because of their religious identity.  

The group expressed particular concern over comments allegedly made by a social media user identified as “MS Baba”, who reportedly referred to the newborns as “slaves”. 

ITOON replied that such language was offensive, degrading and capable of provoking hatred and division in an already sensitive social climate.  

Speaking on the issue, Sheikh Olanrewaju said freedom of speech must never be twisted into a licence for abuse, discrimination or religious attacks, stressing that the Nigerian constitution guarantees citizens the right to practise their religion freely and to raise their children according to their faith without fear of intimidation or mockery. 

He warned that the continued silence around online religious intolerance could embolden offenders and deepen social divisions.  

ITOON also pointed to what it described as a wider pattern of online harassment against Muslims in different parts of the country, citing concerns raised by advocacy groups, including the Muslim Public Affairs Centre, over frequent online attacks on Muslim women wearing hijab, as well as reports of targeted hate speech against Igbo Muslims in the South-East.

According to the organisation, such incidents reveal how social media is increasingly being used as a tool for division and religious hostility.  

The organisation maintained that existing laws in Nigeria already provide adequate legal backing to address such conduct. 

It cited the Cybercrime Act of 2015, particularly Section 24, which criminalises cyberstalking, online harassment and the dissemination of offensive or hateful messages capable of causing fear, insult, emotional distress or public disorder. Offenders found guilty under the law could face severe penalties, including fines running into millions of naira and prison terms.  

ITOON therefore demanded a public apology from the individual affected at the centre of the controversy to the family and the wider Muslim community. It warned that failure to do so may lead to prosecution under the relevant provisions of the law. 

“The law is clear, and those who use social media to spread hate must understand that there are consequences for their actions,” Sheikh Olanrewaju stated. “Mocking children and attacking families because of religion diminishes our humanity and threatens peaceful coexistence.”

The controversy started when Adedimeji and Adebimpe recently welcomed triplets, after many years of marriage.