Nigerian authorities appear to be on a renewed drive to muzzle free speech.

In early June, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) suspended the broadcast licenses of two subsidiaries of Daar Communications, the African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Radio station, only giving broad and vague reasons. Barely a week later, the Department of State Security Services (DSS) declared a crackdown on social media users for posting materials described as threatening to the country’s peace and stability.

The NBC, citing its powers under the National Broadcast Commission Act, sanctioned the stations for airing “inflammatory, divisive, inciting broadcasts, and media propaganda against the government.” AIT was cited for broadcasting “uncensored and unedited social media content.” The DSS subsequently arrested an unknown number of unnamed social media users for allegedly threatening peace and security by posting inciting statements. The DSS has been previously implicated in human rights violations including arbitrary arrests, detention without trial, and torture.

More: https://www.naijiant.com/guestcolumn/buhari-govt-suppressing-free-speech-in-nigeria-human-rights-watch/