Nigerians have taken to social media, especially the X platform, to demand the release of a prominent whistleblower known as PIDOM.
The anonymous whistleblower, with the handle 99% Oppressed (@PIDOMNigeria), is reported to have been allegedly arrested by the federal government. PIDOM gained popularity for exposing corruption by leaking high-profile documents from government agencies, security bodies, and private companies.
Besides his whistleblowing, PIDOM is also known for engaging in humanitarian efforts, often raising funds for sick Nigerians using his platform. His sudden disappearance was brought to public attention by investigative journalist David Hundeyin on Friday. Hundeyin’s report, titled “SOS Alert: PIDOM NIGERIA Is Missing (And I Think We May Know Who Has Him),” suggested that PIDOM was arrested in Port Harcourt on August 5 and transferred to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
Hundeyin further alleged that PIDOM’s arrest might be linked to his association with crypto funds tied to the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement. He hinted that the government may have used Binance’s KYC data to track him. Questions now arise about PIDOM’s treatment in custody, with concerns about possible torture or even murder.
Despite growing public concern, the federal government and its security agencies have yet to respond to the whistleblower’s disappearance. Nigerians have expressed frustration over the government’s ability to track and detain PIDOM while being unable to combat rampant banditry or rescue citizens held captive by kidnappers.
Public Outcry and Criticism
A user, NaijaPatriot @jollynony, accused the government of being hard on citizens seeking good governance. “The Nigerian intelligentsia seems world-class when it comes to protecting bad governance against soft targets.
“We have seen bandits attend large gatherings with their face and name. They use TickTock to flaunt ransom money. Yet there have been no high-profile arrests. They roam free.
“The message the govt is passing poses an unimaginable threat to Nigeria – that the more violent one is, the more likely one is left alone,” he wrote.
For Emma ik Umeh (Tcee), @emmaikumeh, it is unfortunate, that security agencies could not rescue 19 student doctors and one medical doctor who had been in bandits’ captivity for one week but were quick to allegedly go after a whistleblower. He advised the government to take PIDOM to court rather than unlawful incarceration.
“The alleged arrest of PIDOM Nigeria by Nigeria’s security architecture is yet another reason why the Police continue to lose public support and get constantly criticized in the most harsh manner. Why?
“The same police are yet to rescue doctors recently kidnapped, and many more unresolved kidnapping cases all over the country. Just recently, a bandit (actual terrorist) was seen on TikTok with his face and location doing giveaway, yet the police cannot track or make an arrest.
“If Nigeria’s security architecture put one-third of the resources and energy they use in going after critics of government and innocent protesters, Nigeria will be more safer.
“If the government has any evidence against this PIDOM guy, they should charge him to a court of law with competent jurisdiction.”
At DOS COMMENTARY, @DosCommentary, wrote, “PIDOM Media, who speaks up for the 99% of oppressed Nigerians, has gone silent, with no updates on social media for days.
“It’s telling that the country targets activists while criminals roam free, revealing the direction Nigeria is heading.”
A one-time victim of political arrest, Chude Nnamdi, with handle, Chudé @chude__, decried that former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, who is declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has not been arrested by security agencies. “Sad they can trace Pidom but can’t trace Yahaya Bello,” Chude wrote.
At ỌjịUgo, @OjiUgo_nwa, also lamented that “they were able to track PIDOM, but over 20 doctors that were kidnapped last week are yet to be tracked and rescued.
“The terrorists doing giveaways on TikTok and making transfers with their bank accounts haven’t been tracked, our security operatives are anti-people.“
