Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said on Thursday that people making hate speeches would henceforth be treated as terrorists. He spoke in Abuja during the National Economic Council (NEC) Retreat on National Security. The retreat was attended by states’ governors and some ministers.

Such hate speeches, according to the acting President, are categorised as acts of terrorism under the law. Nigeria, he said, has been beclouded with incitements capable of jeopardizing peaceful co-existence in the country. He said: “Please permit me a comment on hate speech. The Federal Government has today drawn the line on hate speech. Hate speech is a specie of terrorism.

“Terrorism as it is defined popularly is the unlawful use of violence or intimidation against individuals or groups especially for political ends. The law, that is the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended), defines terrorism as inter alia, an act which deliberately done with malice which may seriously harm or damage a country or seriously intimidate a population.

“The intimidation of a population by words, by speech is an act of terrorism and this government intends to take this matter very seriously. As I have said, we have drawn a line against hate speech. It will not be tolerated, it will be taken as an act of terrorism and all of the consequences will follow it.” He also called on all business, religious and political leaders to condemn hate speech in the strongest possible terms at all times.

The Nation