Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, has termed hate speech as a species of terrorism. said the Federal Government has drawn the line on hate speech.
Mr Osinbajo stated this while speaking at an ongoing security summit organised by the National Economic Council holding at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended defines terrorism as an act deliberately done with malice which may seriously harm a country or is intended or can be reasonably regarded as having been done to seriously intimidate a population.
“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,” he said.
Speaking further, Mr. Osinabjo said: “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’ve 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.
