Insulting someone online is criminal offence – Police

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has warned Nigerians over the act of raining direct curses on individuals online, emphasising that such behaviour constitutes cyberbullying and is a punishable offence.

In a post on X.com on Friday, Adejobi stated that the act of targeting someone with harsh and abusive language online goes beyond the realm of freedom of expression or criticism.

He wrote, “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not expression of freedom or criticism.

“And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.”

Questioning Adejobi’s post on X, Felix Abayomi, tweeting as #felabayomi, wrote, “When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these laws.”

Another user, tweeting anonymously as #kingkhone4real, replied, “If that were the case, then all Nigerians should have been in prison by now.”

However, #omoopee_ supported Adejobi’s stance, saying, “You are absolutely right, sir; raining curses and engaging in cyberbullying is not freedom of expression but an act of harm.

“We must all learn to express ourselves responsibly.”