Twitter Allegedly Suspends Nigerian Influencers Accounts Over #FreeAlexSaab

Social media platform, Twitter, has suspended the accounts of some Nigerian social media influencers for their reported involvement in a paid campaign for the release of a Columbian businessman, Alex Saab.

The influencers include; Pamilerin, Samuel Mbah, Danny Walter, Tife, Valhalla, Mr Ahmed, Adonai, Volqx, Lamar, Four-eyed Edo Boy, Biisi, and some others.

Saab was arrested in Cape Verde in 2020 when the private jet he was plying stopped during what Venezuela has called a humanitarian mission.

According to Associated Press, United States officials believe Saab, an associate of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, has several secrets about how Maduro, his family and top officials allegedly stole millions of dollars in government contracts in between widespread hunger in the oil-rich nation. During the time he was arrested, he was reportedly traveling to Tehran to bargain deals to exchange Venezuelan gold for Iranian gasoline.

With time, the Venezuelan government allegedly used paid Twitter accounts to convince the public and halt authorities in the West African islands of Cape Verde from extraditing its chief dealmaker to the US for onward prosecution for money laundering charges.

According to Financial Times analysis, the #FreeAlexSaab hashtag trended online sometimes late 2020 and also in February 2021 with over half a million Twitter posts. Some Nigerian social media influencers were also allegedly paid to trend the hashtag meant to block justice.

Twitter subsequently sanctioned the influencers and blocked their accounts.

A Nigerian Twitter user, @firstladyship, reacting to the suspension of the influencers, tweeted, “Jack suspended most of your favorite Nigerian influencers. It is not every job you must take, not every hashtag you must trend. Sometimes ask questions. A little research would save you from suspension.”