The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, immediately upon his arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday. Sowore, a prominent activist and founder of Sahara Reporters, was returning to Nigeria after spending time with his family in the United States.
Members of the “Take It Back Movement” and other activists had gathered at the airport in anticipation of Sowore’s arrival, following reports that he would be detained. His flight from Washington Dulles International Airport departed at 6:14 a.m. EDT and landed in Lagos around 9:43 a.m. WAT.
Reports from Sahara Reporters earlier in the week revealed that a DSS memo ordering Sowore’s arrest upon arrival had been leaked on Thursday, September 12, 2024. In response, Sowore criticized the DSS, accusing them of focusing on political vendettas rather than addressing the pressing security issues facing Nigeria.
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In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore wrote, “The current administration, led by Tinubu, has demonstrated an upgraded inability to effectively track and apprehend terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers… Meanwhile, the lawless @OfficialDSSNG has upgraded my status and name on their ‘watchlist’ for arrest upon arrival in Nigeria.”
The leaked DSS memo, signed by Adeola D. Ali on behalf of the DSS, indicated that Sowore’s name had been placed on a security watchlist due to his involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests and plans for an October 1 demonstration. The memo instructed airport security to detain Sowore upon his arrival and transport him, along with his baggage, to DSS custody.
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Sowore, who has been a vocal critic of the Nigerian government, had previously revealed during an interview on September 4, 2024, that he was aware of the DSS directive. Despite the threat of arrest, he remained defiant, stating, “I will go to Nigeria whenever I want to go to Nigeria, it is my country. I don’t have any other country other than Nigeria.”
Sowore’s detention has sparked concerns among human rights advocates, many of whom view his arrest as a politically motivated move aimed at silencing dissent. The DSS has yet to officially comment on the arrest or provide details regarding any charges Sowore may face.
