Presidency Slams Nasboi Over Terrorist Video — 'Stop Spreading Fear'

A top aide to President Bola Tinubu has publicly condemned Nasboi, a social media personality, for sharing video footage allegedly depicting terrorist activity, demanding he cease what the presidency described as fear-mongering that destabilises communities already on edge.

Aide's Sharp Rebuke Goes Public

The Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs issued the statement on Thursday, calling out Nasboi directly. "Stop spreading fear," the aide wrote, warning that irresponsible sharing of violent content only amplifies terror group's psychological warfare against ordinary Nigerians.

The presidency did not name which specific video caused the backlash. However, sources familiar with the matter indicated the footage showed armed individuals believed to be members of Boko Haram or ISWAP operating in the northeastern region.

Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword

The incident exposes a deep tension in how Nigerians consume and share security information. On one hand, platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp let citizens document events that mainstream media sometimes ignores. On the other, unverified clips travel faster than fact-checks, spreading panic across Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and other cities within hours.

Nigeria has roughly 120 million active social media users, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission. That reach cuts both ways.

The Fear Factor for ordinary citizens

Security analysts have long warned that terrorist groups exploit social media to project strength, recruit members, and intimidate populations. When private citizens amplify that content without context, they unknowingly serve the insurgents' propaganda goals.

The presidency's statement hinted at this concern. It noted that communities in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states have endured years of displacement and trauma. Viral terror footage, officials argued, re-traumatises survivors while offering no actionable intelligence to security forces.

Who Is Nasboi?

Nasboi has built a following of several hundred thousand across social media platforms, where he shares commentary on politics, crime, and security. His real name did not appear in the presidential statement. He has not yet issued a public response to the condemnation.

Political observers in Abuja say the aide's unusually direct criticism suggests the presidency is trying to set a precedent. Anyone sharing graphic terror material, the message implies, will face public scrutiny regardless of their follower count.

Nigeria's Ongoing Security Landscape

The confrontation arrives against a backdrop of persistent insurgency in the northeast. The Nigerian military has retaken large swathes of territory from Boko Haram since 2015, but attacks persist. ISWAP continues to stage ambushes on roads connecting Maiduguri to other northeastern cities.

Just last month, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that troops recovered weapons and repelled militants near Damboa, Borno State. Security sources say an average of three to five violent incidents linked to insurgency are reported weekly across the region.

Legal Grey Zone

Nigeria's laws against spreading subversive content exist but remain inconsistently enforced. The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015 criminalises unlawful sharing of restricted information. Yet prosecutions are rare, and the threshold for what constitutes harm versus public interest remains contested.

Civil liberties groups have urged caution. They argue that citizens documenting abuses or security failures perform a public service. Restricting that right, they warn, could shield official misconduct from scrutiny.

The presidency has not indicated whether it plans any legal action against Nasboi.

What Happens Next

Nigerians are watching to see whether this confrontation escalates. If Nasboi deletes the content and apologises, the episode may end there. If he doubles down, the presidency could face pressure to act more forcefully.

Beyond this specific case, the broader debate about social media responsibility in Nigeria's security crisis will intensify. Senate committees have mulled legislation requiring platforms to label violent content, though no bill has passed into law.

For now, the presidency's demand is clear: stop sharing material designed to frighten people. Whether Nasboi complies — and how other influencers respond — will test the limits of free speech in Nigeria's digital age.