The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has declared that the act of raining curses on individuals online constitutes cyberbullying, which is a punishable criminal offence.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Adejobi emphasized that targeting individuals with harsh and abusive language on social media exceeds the boundaries of free expression or constructive criticism.
“Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not an expression of freedom or criticism,” Adejobi wrote. “Cyberbullying, which is different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.”
The statement has sparked mixed reactions online, with users debating the legality and enforcement of such laws.
Felix Abayomi, tweeting as #felabayomi, questioned the position, writing:
“When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these laws.”
Another user, tweeting anonymously as #kingkhone4real, added a sarcastic response:
“If that were the case, then all Nigerians should have been in prison by now.”
However, others supported Adejobi’s position. A user tweeting as #omoopee_ agreed, 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.”
This statement by the police comes amid growing concerns about online harassment and the misuse of social media platforms. Experts have called for increased public awareness and the enforcement of cybercrime laws to ensure digital spaces remain respectful and safe for all users.
