Digital Africa Research and Safety Lab

4 weeks ago, we began investigating suspicious activity within Nigeria Twitter related to Alex Saab We identified several clusters of Nigerians including journalists [and news sites] deploying overt & covert tactics to shape opinion Here’s our joint investigation with BuzzFeed

75 days until #NigeriaDecides. WHATSAPP MONEY REQUEST? CALL THEM FIRST. Call their usual phone number before sending money. A scammer may have taken over the account. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 1 November, marks 76 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. HELP PEOPLE FACING ABUSE WITHOUT BLAMING THEM. A friend receives threats after sharing a political opinion. Worried for their safety, you say, “You should have stayed out of politics.” That can leave them feeling blamed and afraid to speak again. Instead, say something like: “The threats are wrong. How can I support you?” Offer support publicly or privately without repeating the abuse or exposing private details. Platforms should act on threats that make people afraid to speak. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

76 days until #NigeriaDecides. HELP PEOPLE FACING ABUSE WITHOUT BLAMING THEM. Worried for a friend? Try saying: “The threats are wrong. How can I support you?” Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 30 October, marks 78 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. ASK BEFORE SHARING SOMEONE’S STORY OF ABUSE. A woman tells a friend privately about threats she received after a campaign meeting. The friend posts her story online to ask for help, including her name and photograph. She had not agreed to tell her story publicly. The post can bring unwanted attention and make her feel exposed. Ask before publishing someone’s experience. Agree what they are comfortable sharing and what should remain private. Even with permission, consider which details could expose them to further harm. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

78 days until #NigeriaDecides. ASK BEFORE SHARING SOMEONE’S STORY OF ABUSE. A friend tells you privately about abuse. Ask before posting their story or photograph. Protect details that could expose them. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 29 October, marks 79 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. REPORT ONLINE ABUSE WITHOUT REPOSTING IT. You see an abusive post about an election observer. You repost it and tag an organisation, asking them to intervene. Your intention is to help, but people who had not seen the abuse can now see and share it too. Use the app’s reporting tools on the original post. If you need to alert a support organisation, contact it privately and share only what it needs to understand the concern. You can speak against the abuse without repeating it or exposing the observer’s private details. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

79 days until #NigeriaDecides. REPORT ONLINE ABUSE WITHOUT REPOSTING IT. Reposting abuse to ask for help can spread it further. Report the original. Seek support privately when sharing sensitive details. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 28 October, marks 80 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. RESPOND RESPONSIBLY. Someone in your group says they are receiving threats over a political post. Others want everyone to repost the threats to demand action. This could spread the threats and expose the person to more unwanted attention. Ask what help they need. Report the original threats using the app’s reporting tools. You can offer support publicly or privately without repeating the threats or sharing private details. If more help is needed, contact DigiAfricaLab or another trusted support organisation privately. Before responding, ask: Will this help the person or expose them further? Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 27 October, marks 81 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. CRITICISE CANDIDATES WITHOUT THREATENING THEM. A candidate makes a promise you think they cannot keep. You want to challenge it. In the replies, some people start threatening the candidate. Threats can make campaigning unsafe and discourage others from contesting. Question the promise. Ask how the candidate plans to deliver it. You can challenge their record, decisions and conduct without threatening them or encouraging attacks. Do not join in the threats. Report threatening posts using the app’s reporting tools. Before replying, ask yourself: Can I make my point without threatening anyone? Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

81 days until #NigeriaDecides. CRITICISE CANDIDATES WITHOUT THREATENING THEM. Question a candidate’s promises and record. Do not join in threats. Report threatening posts. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 26 October, marks 82 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. DO NOT SHARE CALLS TO ATTACK A RELIGIOUS GROUP. A message calls for attacks on members of a religious group. You want to warn others, so you forward it. This can spread the call for violence and make people afraid to worship, go about their day or vote. Religious or political differences do not justify attacks. Do not forward the call or join in the attacks. Report the original post or message using the app’s reporting tools. You can explain the concern without repeating the threat or exposing anyone’s private details. If you need help, contact DigiAfricaLab or another trusted support organisation privately. Before sharing, ask yourself: Can I warn others without spreading the call for attacks? Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

Today, 25 October, marks 83 days until #NigeriaDecides on 16 January 2027. CAMPAIGNS SHOULD NOT PAY TO MANIPULATE ONLINE TRENDS. A campaign pays handlers of real and fake celebrity accounts to push a topic into Twitter Trends. People are not told that the posts are paid for. This can make support seem greater than it really is and mislead people about what others think. Parties, candidates and their teams should not pay for or take part in this deception. People paid to promote a campaign should make that clear. Do not assume a trending hashtag or story reflects what people really think. Before joining in or sharing, consider the message and what you are helping to spread. You can contact DigiAfricaLab privately to share a concern about possible manipulation. Recognise risky content and behaviour. Avoid making harm worse. Respond responsibly. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

83 days until #NigeriaDecides. CAMPAIGNS SHOULD NOT PAY TO MANIPULATE ONLINE TRENDS. Handlers of real and fake celebrity accounts can be paid to fake support. Do not assume 'Trending' shows what people really think. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027

84 days until #NigeriaDecides. ONLINE ABUSE CAN KEEP WOMEN OUT OF ELECTIONS. A woman receives threats in replies to her campaign posts. Report threats. Support her publicly or privately without amplifying abuse. Recognise. Avoid. Respond. #NigeriaDecides2027 #RoadTo2027