ABUJA – A Civil Society Organisation, Spaces for Change (S4C), has raised concerns over increasing digital surveillance targeting journalists and civic actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The concerns were highlighted in a report titled “Victims Speak: Techniques, Patterns and Impacts of Targeted Surveillance in Nigeria,” unveiled by the Executive Director of S4C, Mrs Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri.
According to her, fear of surveillance is creating anxiety among journalists, activists and ordinary citizens ahead of the elections.
Ibezim-Ohaeri said many Nigerians were increasingly afraid to openly express political views or publicly support candidates because of fears of monitoring, intimidation and reprisals.
She warned that shrinking civic space and rising digital surveillance could undermine democratic participation and electoral outcomes in 2027.
“This report was deliberately released ahead of the elections to encourage journalists and civic actors to continue speaking against abuses and injustice.
“We want civic actors and journalists not to be afraid to report issues affecting society because silence only emboldens perpetrators.
“Technology should be deployed responsibly, with full respect for privacy rights, civic freedoms and democratic participation,” she said.
Technology Officer at S4C, Mr Michael Itegbe, disclosed that the report documented 18 cases involving journalists, activists and protest organisers allegedly subjected to unlawful surveillance.
He said findings revealed that surveillance technologies acquired for national security purposes were increasingly being diverted to monitor journalists and suppress dissent.
According to him, spyware, GSM interception systems and social media monitoring tools were among the technologies commonly used against media practitioners and civic actors.
Itegbe cited the case of a journalist who allegedly suffered coordinated cyber attacks and legal threats after publishing a report considered critical of public officials.
“The victim experienced 17 cyber attacks within one day, while threatening calls revealed detailed knowledge of his movements and daily activities,” he said.
He added that the journalist was forced into hiding temporarily and communicated only through trusted intermediaries for safety reasons.
Itegbe further stated that surveillance activities often intensified during election periods, with political interests deploying digital tools to monitor opponents and suppress critical reporting.
He warned that continued intimidation and monitoring were encouraging fear, trauma and self-censorship among journalists and civil society groups.
According to him, security agencies appeared to enjoy extensive access to telecommunications networks without adequate transparency or independent oversight.
He said S4C established the “Spyclog Lab” to provide legal, psychosocial and digital security support for journalists and activists facing surveillance threats.
Also speaking, Ms Judith Chiamaka, Digital Rights Programme Associate at S4C, said many journalists and civic actors lacked sufficient knowledge of digital safety and privacy protection.
She explained that seized phones and compromised devices often became channels for spyware installation, account interception and monitoring of private communications.
Chiamaka said participants in the support programme were trained on secure communication practices, malware detection and strategies for countering unlawful surveillance.
She added that victims also received confidential counselling sessions to address trauma, fear and emotional distress caused by persistent monitoring.
A retired judge, Justice Nkem Izuakor, called for improved human rights training for judges and judicial officers handling surveillance-related matters.
Izuakor urged courts to protect citizens’ constitutional rights by ensuring fair hearings and resisting abuse of legal processes against journalists and activists.
She also advocated speedy handling of cases involving unlawful surveillance and compensation for victims subjected to intimidation and rights violations.
The retired judge stressed that strong institutions and rights-focused judicial interpretation remained essential to protecting press freedom and civic participation in Nigeria.