Sarki, a Nigerian media celebrity, has sparked new controversy on social media after warning residents against joining protest movements supposedly encouraged by influencers from outside the nation.

In a popular article, Sarki warned Nigerians to exercise caution, stating that people who join in protests risk being detained by security services, particularly the Department of State Services.

“Friendly advice: don’t join influencers who are tweeting from outside Nigeria to call for protests. If DSS picks you up, you probably won’t see sunlight again until elections are over. Please tread carefully. Most of those influencers calling for protests are outside Nigeria,” he wrote.

The announcement sparked an outpouring of emotions from Nigerians online, with many questioning the constitutionality of prohibiting protests in a democratic country.

See reactions below;

A user identified as Chekwube challenged the warning, asking, “Is protest crime? @officialABAT nobody does it better than you when it comes to protest.

What has your DSS done to this poor child that made him make this post? Tinubu is protest a crime?? What a time to be alive and witness the government of a man who claims to fight military regime.”

Another commenter, IOcuppyNigeria, referenced Nigeria’s democratic history, arguing that citizens should not lose their rights because of the current administration.

“Oga, we dey inside democratic dispensation since 1999, because Tinubu dey office our democratic right suppose vanish abi? Protest wey Tinubu himself engage in… why dem no arrest am?” the user wrote.

Skood offered a different perspective, accusing Sarki of hypocrisy. “You were picked up because of alleged terrorist tendencies and your supposed support for Iran.

So telling people not to peacefully protest against hardship just because you were picked up only proves you have not changed your deceitful ways,” the comment read.

Debate Over Rights and Security Deepens

Other users stressed the importance of protest as a democratic tool. Ukpaka noted, “Is protest now banned in Nigeria? You guys should remember we have a country to protect…

It is through protest that the masses express their dissatisfaction. Why are influencers helping to suppress the masses?”

Similarly, Mista_jay pointed to constitutional provisions backing the right to protest. “Do you even know the Nigerian Constitution empowers you to protest freely?

Sections 39 and 40 clearly states it. However, since 2015 protests have become a crime… It’s a shame this is where we are now,” the user stated.

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