Nudes are private photos of someone who is fully or partially naked. Many people share them in relationships or while flirting as a way to express themselves. However, things can sometimes go wrong. Someone you trusted might misuse these photos and threaten to share them out of anger. Sometimes, a stranger might try to blackmail you with them, which is called “sextortion.”
This kind of betrayal is not just wrong—it is also a crime.
In countries like Nigeria, laws like the Cybercrimes (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2015, the Criminal Code, and the Penal Code protect you in such situations.
If you ever face a threat like this, here’s how to handle it and protect yourself.
Stay calm and know it’s not your fault
Getting this kind of threat can be scary and upsetting. It’s normal to feel hurt, angry, or confused. But try to stay calm and remind yourself that you are not to blame.
Sharing private photos in a trusting relationship does not make you a bad person. The person threatening you is the one in the wrong for breaking your trust.
Talk to someone you trust
Don’t keep this to yourself. Talk to someone you trust, like a parent, sibling, close friend, or mentor. They can give you advice, support, and comfort. If you need professional help, a counsellor or therapist can guide you. They can help you manage your emotions and think clearly about what to do next.
If the problem involves your school or workplace, report it to someone in charge, like a teacher, student union, or HR officer. They can take action to help you.
Save evidence
Keep proof of the threat. Take screenshots of any messages, including the sender’s name and the time they sent them. If someone else saw or overheard the threat, write down their contact details. They could help as witnesses if you decide to report the case.
Don’t give in to demands
If the person demands money, more photos, or anything else, do not give in. Doing so won’t make them stop. It might even make them ask for more.
Report the threat
Sharing or threatening to share private photos is a crime. You should report it to the police or cybercrime authorities.
Under the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, which applies across all states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Section 24 states that anyone who knowingly or intentionally sends, or facilitates the sending of, a message or material via a computer system or network that is grossly offensive, pornographic, indecent, obscene, or threatening in nature commits an offense. Upon conviction, such a person may face a fine of up to N7,000,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
Similarly, Section 170 of the Criminal Code Act stipulates that anyone who knowingly sends, or attempts to send, through the mail any item containing indecent or obscene content—such as prints, paintings, photographs, books, or articles—or any material with offensive words, marks, or designs, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Such an individual may face imprisonment for up to one year.
If the threat is online, report it to the platform where it happened. Social media platforms can remove harmful content and block the person’s account.
Think about legal action
If the threat continues, you can take legal steps. Laws like the Criminal Code Act and the Penal Code make sharing indecent material without consent illegal, and offenders can face imprisonment.
Speak with a lawyer to understand your options. Use the evidence you’ve saved to support your case.
Protect Your Online Privacy
To prevent further misuse of your images, improve your digital security by changing your passwords to strong, unique ones and turning on two-factor authentication for all your accounts. Also, check your privacy settings on social media to limit who can see your posts and profile.
What if your photos are shared?
If the person carries out their threat, act quickly to reduce the harm. Untag yourself from posts and report them to the platform. Contact Google to request the removal of the images from search results.
Continue working with the police or cybercrime authorities to deal with the situation.
Most importantly, take care of yourself. Talk to people who care about you, and remind yourself that this doesn’t define you or your worth.
Sharing private images without consent is a serious crime, not just a personal betrayal. By standing up for your rights and taking action, you can protect yourself and hold the wrongdoers accountable. (Vanguard)
