The Islamic Training Organisation of Nigeria (ITOON) has petitioned the Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun States over what it described as an escalating wave of cyberbullying, hate speech and religious intolerance targeted at Muslims on social media.
The organisation, through its National Missioner, Uwais Olanrewaju, said the petition sought urgent and proactive intervention from security agencies following recent online attacks directed at Nollywood actors Abdullateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Oyebade after the announcement of the birth of their triplets.
According to the group, instead of celebrating the birth of the children, several social media users allegedly mocked the Islamic names given to the babies, triggering outrage among Muslim groups and advocates of religious tolerance.
ITOON described the attacks as disturbing and inhumane, noting that innocent children became targets of ridicule because of their religious identity. The organisation expressed particular concern over comments allegedly made by a social media user identified as “MS Baba,” who reportedly referred to the newborns as “slaves.”
The petition was also copied to the State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos and Ogun States. According to the group, such language was offensive, degrading and capable of provoking hatred and division in an already sensitive social climate.
Olanrewaju stressed that freedom of speech should not be used as a licence for abuse, discrimination or religious attacks.
He noted that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to practice their religion freely and raise their children according to their faith without fear of intimidation or mockery.
He warned that continued silence over online religious intolerance could embolden offenders and deepen social divisions. ITOON also alleged that the incident reflected a broader pattern of online harassment against Muslims across different parts of the country.
The organisation stated that existing Nigerian laws already provide legal backing to address such conduct, citing the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, particularly Section 24, which criminalisescyberstalking, online harassment and the dissemination of hateful or offensive messages capable of causing fear, emotional distress or public disorder.
It added that offenders convicted under the law could face heavy fines and prison terms.
ITOON demanded a public apology from the individual at the centre of the controversy to the affected family and the wider Muslim community, warning that failure to do so could lead to prosecution under relevant laws.
“The law is clear, and those who use social media to spread hate must understand that there are consequences for their actions,” Olanrewaju said.
“Mocking children and attacking families because of religion diminishes our humanity and threatens peaceful coexistence.”
