DSS Detains Sowore Shortly After Arrival In Nigeria

DSS Detains Sowore Shortly After Arrival In Nigeria

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, upon his arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Naija News reports that Sowore was taken into custody on Sunday shortly after landing in Nigeria.

Sowore’s flight, which departed from Washington Dulles International Airport at 6:14 EDT, arrived in Lagos around 9:43 WAT.

Prior to his arrival, on Thursday, September 12, 2024, a leaked memo from the DSS surfaced, ordering Sowore’s arrest upon his return to Nigeria. After his detention, Sowore took to his official X account to confirm that he had been detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service, which also confiscated his passport.

In his statement, Sowore said, “I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA at MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me.” He further noted, “This is not unexpected because I have always known that it is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist @officialAbat regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober revolt.”

Sowore called on Nigerians to resist tyranny and take part in planned protests scheduled for October 1 and beyond, in case his detention turns into a prolonged ordeal.

Fellow activist Deji Adeyanju confirmed Sowore’s arrest, stating, “Sowore was arrested by the jobless and lawless Nigerian government for calling for an End to Bad Governance protest.”

Earlier, Sowore had shared on his verified Facebook account that security forces were attempting to track him down in his hometown in Ondo State, suggesting there were plans to falsely implicate him on fabricated charges.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Sowore wrote, “Yeah! All around in my hometown, they’re tryin’ to track me down, yeah! They say they want to bring me in guilty. However, Babylon must fall! #FearlessInOctober.”

He also posted on his X account, criticizing the current administration for its inability to track down terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, while placing him on a watchlist. “The current administration, led by Tinubu, has demonstrated an upgraded inability to effectively track and apprehend terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers, while the @officialEFCC has yet to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.”

Sowore expressed his determination to return to Nigeria soon, insisting that the country needs salvation and its people need liberation, which will require significant effort.