An Information, Security and Technology Expert, Dr Kingsley Aguoru, has called on the Federal Government to initiate measures at regulating social media pranks and propaganda to avert national security crisis.

Aguoru, who made the call while interacting with newsmen on Thursday in Owerri, said “the explosive rise of social media pranks and propaganda is no longer just an issue of entertainment.”

He described social media misuse as a “national security crisis, where anonymous accounts and misinformation spread fraud, harassment, and public unrest.”

“Social media has become a national security crisis with the growing misuse of social media platforms, where anonymous accounts, viral trends, and misinformation have turned pranking and propaganda into weapons of fraud, harassment, and public unrest.

“The problem is deeply rooted in the unregulated nature of social media, where individuals hide behind fake profiles, AI-generated images, and unverifiable news sources to mislead the public for financial or political gain.

“Social media has given every smartphone user a global megaphone, but without accountability, it has become a digital jungle where deception thrives,” Aguoru stated.

He noted that “with one viral post, a prankster can destroy reputations, incite panic, or even put lives at risk.”

“We have seen staged crimes, ghost pranks causing heart attacks, and politically driven propaganda creating unrest.

“The consequences are real, and they are dangerous; while pranksters and propagandists laugh their way to the bank, their victims suffer financial losses, reputational damage, and psychological trauma,” he stressed.

Aguoru said some pranks have even led to physical harm, with staged robberies causing panic-induced accidents and fake “sex-for-money” videos tearing families apart.

He noted that what started as simple social media stunts have now evolved into a dangerous game, with far-reaching consequences.

“At what point does the government say enough is enough? When people start dying? When misinformation triggers mass violence? Aguoru questioned, saying “the time to act is now.”

The security and technology expert called for strict digital regulations to curb reckless pranking and malicious propaganda, with offenders facing hefty fines and jail time.

“Nigerian government, law enforcement agencies, and cybersecurity bodies should take urgent action by regulating social media anonymity, enforcing stricter digital identity verification, and introducing legal consequences for reckless pranking and propaganda-driven misinformation.

“A national cyber-monitoring unit is needed to track and prosecute cyber offenders, alongside public awareness campaigns to educate users on misinformation and harmful pranks.

“With forensic investigators and digital traceability, no prankster or propagandist is truly anonymous,” he emphasised.

Aguoru warned that failure to act now could lead to greater social unrest, economic sabotage, and even loss of life.

“The internet never forgets, and neither do the courts.

“Those, who thrive on pranks and propaganda today may wake up tomorrow in handcuffs, forgotten by social media, but remembered in jail,” he said.