Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Security forces in Tripoli, Libya, have arrested two Nigerian nationals in the coastal town of Qarabouli over allegations of spreading inciting content on social media, authorities confirmed on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The suspects were detained for allegedly circulating videos and other online materials described by Libyan authorities as having an “inciting nature” that promoted violence and criminal activity, according to a report by The Libya Observer. The content was deemed a violation of Libyan laws and a threat to public security and stability.
The statement further noted that both individuals have been formally charged, and all necessary legal procedures have been completed. They have since been referred to the Public Prosecution Office for further investigation and possible prosecution in line with Libyan criminal laws. While details of the identities of the suspects were not immediately disclosed, the case adds to ongoing concerns over the use of social media platforms in Libya, where authorities have in recent years intensified surveillance of online content deemed threatening to national security.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions in Libya, where the United Nations has voiced concern over a renewed surge in misinformation, disinformation, and inflammatory rhetoric on social media, warning that such content could deepen tensions, fuel mistrust, and contribute to discrimination and violence. The UN has also urged authorities to continue efforts to combat incitement and harmful misinformation in accordance with Libyan law and international human rights standards.
The development also follows a wave of arrests targeting Nigerian nationals in Libya. Earlier in June, Nigerian authorities arrested at least eight people in recent weeks for spreading false information on social media, as officials threatened tougher penalties following a wave of misinformation linked to a school kidnapping. Additionally, Libyan authorities have previously arrested Nigerians for drug trafficking and tested them for infectious diseases. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has also reported that more than 20,000 Nigerians have been evacuated from Libya over the past decade, lamenting that many citizens continued to embark on dangerous irregular migration journeys to the North African country despite repeated rescue efforts. The commission’s position followed an appeal by a Nigerian whose younger sister was reportedly among hundreds of Nigerians being detained in Libya after allegedly entering the country through irregular migration routes. NIDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the challenge of irregular migration to Libya had persisted for nearly 10 years despite sustained interventions by the Nigerian government and international organisations.
As the case proceeds, the two Nigerians remain in custody pending further investigation and legal proceedings in Libya.
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