The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a social media user, identified as Innocent Chukwuma, for allegedly inciting a military coup against the Nigerian government through posts made on X (formerly Twitter).
Chukwuma, who operated under the handle @TheAgroman, reportedly published a series of messages urging the Nigerian military to overthrow the current administration and “reset” the country.
In one of his posts, he wrote:
“A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.”
He allegedly followed up with another statement saying,
“It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country.”
In a separate post, Chukwuma was said to have made derogatory remarks about President Bola Tinubu, writing:
“The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West… Only the military can reset this country. Support them.”
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, DSS operatives tracked and arrested Chukwuma in Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and he is currently cooperating with investigators.
The arrest has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians describing his comments as treasonable and others arguing that his detention infringes on freedom of expression.
Constitutional lawyer Barr. Tunde Oladipo clarified that “calls for a coup are criminal under Nigerian law” and amount to incitement against a democratically elected government.
Meanwhile, the arrest comes amid heightened tension in security circles following reports of an alleged coup plot under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
According to SaharaReporters, a “special military team” recently raided the Abuja residence of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa Governor, Timipre Sylva, after intelligence allegedly linked him to secret meetings with detained military officers.
Sources revealed that Sylva, who is said to have fled the country, was mentioned repeatedly in connection with the probe, while his brother, identified as Paga, was arrested during the raid. The operation was reportedly extended to the former governor’s Bayelsa residence.
Security insiders described the raid as “a direct response to intelligence linking certain political figures to the alleged plotters,” noting that no official statement has yet been issued by the military or the government.
The development follows reports that at least 16 senior military officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force have been detained incommunicado by the DIA for over three weeks in an undisclosed Abuja facility.
Family members of the detained officers reportedly raised alarm after losing contact with them, initially believing they had been kidnapped before learning of their arrests.
The growing wave of arrests and investigations has further intensified public concern over political stability and internal security in the country.