NIGERIA’S END SARS PROTEST: IS SOCIAL MEDIA AN INSTRUMENT OF VIOLENT MOBILISATION?

Abstract

Social media platforms have emerged as one of the key drivers of political socialisation. Also, political socialisation and mobilisation have taken on a new form and expression as a result of the acceleration of globalisation and the growing acceptance of the culture of social media. The reach of social media stretches farther and takes on a different form than the conventional reach and shape of traditional media, which has a number of repercussions. This paper argues that social media has become a legitimate and real weapon of political mobilisation, sensitisation, and socialisation, using the END SARS protest as a case study. According to the study's findings, people and activists may participate in self-mobilisation and engagement activities through social media platforms, depending on their grievances. Thus, social media has become a venue for disseminating news and ideas that have mobilised people to participate in violent political activities. This is partly because the material on social media is not controlled, and technological manipulations of facts are possible. Even while the positive aspects of social media should be embraced, acknowledged, and promoted by nations worldwide, there is a pressing need to oversee its use in disseminating violent-prone texts and images that might lead to social and political turmoil.