By Kluemedia Newsroom
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has stirred controversy after declaring social media a “terrorist organisation” during the 17th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
In a video shared by GoldmyneTV and seen by SaharaReporters, the Sultan lamented what he described as the damaging influence of social media on national cohesion, accusing platforms of spreading misinformation and inciting unrest across Nigeria.
“Social media is a terrorist organisation that we must deal with,” the Sultan said emphatically. “You cannot come and be doing social media because that is one terrorist organisation. What they do—somebody will sit down in his comfort zone and formulate stories, and you will discover that it is not true.”
The Sultan’s comments have sparked outrage and debate among Nigerians, with many social media users and commentators accusing him of misplacing priorities.
An X user, Allezamani, reacted sharply, saying: “Left the real Islamic terrorists killing people in Bauchi and Jos and calling social media a terrorist organization? This can’t be real.”
Another user offered a more nuanced view, stating: “While the term ‘terrorist organisation’ is strong, the underlying message about the dangers of unchecked false information on social media resonates with many.”
The Sultan’s remarks come against the backdrop of unrelenting insecurity in northern Nigeria. The region has been plagued for over a decade by terrorist activities, rural banditry, and communal violence.
Groups like Boko Haram and its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have orchestrated devastating attacks across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, targeting civilians, security forces, IDP camps, and humanitarian workers. These groups also enforce extremist ideologies, impose taxes, and restrict education and healthcare.
In other northern states—Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger—rural bandits engage in mass abductions, cattle rustling, and deadly village raids. Analysts warn that the scale and nature of these attacks increasingly mirror acts of terrorism.
The Middle Belt and North-Central regions have also witnessed escalated clashes between nomadic herders and farming communities, often along ethnic and religious lines. The violence has led to widespread displacement, crippled agriculture, and paralyzed education and health services in affected areas.
Critics argue that labelling social media as a “terrorist organisation” distracts from the state’s failure to address these more direct and existential security threats.
As Nigeria continues to battle misinformation, extremist ideologies, and complex conflict drivers, the role of traditional institutions and digital platforms remains under scrutiny in shaping public opinion and national stability.
Kluemedia will continue to monitor reactions and developments from this controversial statement.